adminThe policeman was on a mission to ambush illegal gold panners when the gang pounced on him, stole the pistol and used it to commit the crimes in and around Harare.
Tinei Chimucheka (22) of Mangare Village, Mt Darwin, and Athanas Munyonga (33), of Maunga Village, Gutu, had pleaded not guilty to armed robbery and attempted murder charges when they appeared before regional magistrate Ms Fadzai Mthombeni but they were convicted because of overwhelming evidence.
Ms Mthombeni sentenced them to a total of 42 years each on all the counts but suspended eight years each on condition of good behaviour.
In passing sentence the magistrate said the pair benefited from their violent crimes as some of the property they stole was never recovered.
“The court also considered that these are crimes committed in groups and by gangs against innocent people who did not expect anything. The sentence passed must show that courts do not condone this kind of behaviour,” she said.
The State proved that on the day in question the three, who were with Luckmore Chibira and Vincent Didy, who are still at large, teamed up and went to Mvurwi to rob people.
Online Reporter