Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
TWO more suspected robbers, part of a gang of Harare brothers who committed a string of armed robberies and raped women and girls at properties in the city, have been arrested.
This brings to four the number of suspects arrested in connection with the case.
On Tuesday, the brothers Fortune Ngoshi (32) and Pride Ngoshi (29) appeared before Harare Magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka charged with 24 counts of rape, aggravated indecent assault and robbery and were remanded in custody.
Their two accomplices, arrested by detectives from the CID Homicide in Harare, are expected to appear in court.
The State alleges that between June 19 and June 28, the pair, acting in the company of their accomplices, targeted several households in Harare while armed with pistols, machetes and knives among other weapons.
In one of the incidents, the court heard, the gang allegedly broke into a White Cliff house and stole cash, groceries and household property.
Prosecutors further allege that during the robbery, several women and girls were sexually assaulted, while others were robbed of cellphones, cash and other valuables.
Some of the rape victims are juveniles whose identities are being withheld in accordance with the law.
The State also alleges that the gang stole numerous cellphones, laptops, watches, groceries and other household items from other homes.
In one of the incidents, the gang allegedly made away with property worth more than US$2 800, while another complainant reportedly lost over US$1 600 in cash and valuables.
Police investigations led to the recovery of some of the stolen property, including cellphones, a laptop battery and a pistol allegedly used during the commission of one of the offences.
The State opposed bail, arguing that the offences are serious and carry severe penalties if the accused are convicted.
Prosecutors also submitted that the accused have strong incentives to abscond, could interfere with witnesses who live in the same communities and may jeopardise ongoing investigations as some accomplices remain at large.
The prosecution further argued that the accused have no fixed place of residence, making them difficult to locate if released, and that some of the stolen property has not yet been recovered.
