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Musawenkosi Moyo
TWO men from Bulawayo who were facing charges of breaking into a local betting shop and possessing explosives were found not guilty and subsequently acquitted of all charges.
Itai Chiginde and Witness Hlongwane, who were facing one count of unlawful entry and unlawful possession of explosives, were acquitted when they appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Evia Matura.
They had pleaded not guilty to both charges.
In their defense, the two said that on the day in question, they had parked their car near AfricaBet so that Chiginde could drop off Hlongwane, who was supposed to get transport to his place in Cowdray Park suburb.
They said that while inside their car, the police came and told them that they were arrested.
In their submissions, their lawyer stated that the court had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the two had committed the crimes.
Their lawyer also questioned the reasoning of the arresting officers for not immediately arresting Hlongwane while he was still at the property premises.
“Six armed police officers see a person climbing down a building, allow him to walk away into his car, then purport to arrest him while in his car. That is unbelievable, it is fiction,” their lawyer argued.
Allegations which were leveled against the duo are that on 13 November 2022, at the corner of 6th Avenue and Herbert Chitepo Street at around 2am they went to AfricaBet, where Hlongwane climbed onto the roof of the building, while Chiginde remained on the ground acting as a lookout.
It was alleged that while on the roof, he used an unknown object to open the metal roofing sheet.
After making an opening on the roof, he proceeded to enter the building.
It was further alleged that Hlongwane then climbed down onto the ground and, along with Chiginde, went to a car parked near the building.
The duo was reportedly arrested after police received a tip-off that there was someone on top of the building roof.
Upon arrival, the police were alleged to have observed the two and, going to their car, led to their subsequent arrest.
Online Reporter