Fortune Makoni [email protected]
TWO men accused of carrying out a series of machete-wielding robberies at supermarkets in Bulawayo’s western suburbs and stealing more than US$10 000 which they used to buy a car, have appeared in court.
Liberty Moyo (30) and Darlington Ignatius Ndlovu (27) appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate, Ms Sibonginkosi Mkandla facing charges of armed robbery and money laundering.
They were remanded in custody to today for continuation of trial.
The State alleges that the pair went on a robbery spree between May and June this year, targeting three Sai Mart supermarket branches in Mountain View, Emakhandeni and Emganwini suburbs as well as Basic Supermarket in Tshabalala suburb.
Prosecuting, Ms Mellisa Dube told the court that on May 8, the accused allegedly raided Sai Mart Supermarket in Mountain View, Lobengula West, armed with machetes and knobkerries.
They allegedly attacked an employee, Mr Earnest Nkala and escaped with groceries, alcoholic beverages, US$3 536, R60, ZiG40 and an Itel cellphone.
On May 13, the pair allegedly struck again at Sai Mart Supermarket in Emakhandeni, where they threatened a worker, Mr Bishop Mdlawuzo, with machetes before forcibly opening a safe and stealing cash and a closed-circuit television (CCTV) digital video recorder.
The State further alleges that on June 9, the accused targeted Basic Supermarket in Tshabalala, where they threatened Tinashe Chatikobo, an employee, with machetes, knobkerries and axes before stealing an SQ800 cellphone.
Their alleged robbery spree continued on June 17 at Sai Mart Supermarket in Emganwini, where they allegedly threatened Mr Afiki Magwazara with machetes, knobkerries and axes.
They allegedly stole a CCTV digital video recorder, US$6 396 and R3 570 before forcing open a Hello Paisa cash booth using a claw bar and taking US$1 804 and R3 600.
The court heard that on June 22, the two allegedly used proceeds from the robberies to buy a black Honda Fit.
