Two soldiers implicated in R21 0000 goods and alcohol robbery spree

TWO soldiers who are accused of committing an armed robbery spree with their three accomplices, robbing community members of an assortment of goods and alcohol valued at R21 585, have appeared in court.

Malver Sibanda (19) and Bornwell Sibanda (32) yesterday appeared before Plumtree Provincial Resident Magistrate, Mr Busani Sibanda, facing three counts of robbery. They were not asked to plead and were told to apply for bail at Bulawayo High Court. They were further advised of their legal right to engage a lawyer or to be self-represented.

Malvern and Bornwell were remanded in custody until April 22. The prosecutor, Ms Sheila Nyathi, told the court that Malvern and Bornwell, in the company of their accomplices who are yet to be arrested, went to Nswazi Business Centre, Madlambudzi area and stormed into a shop.

“They confronted the shop attendant (name withheld) and demanded cash. She gave them cash and they took alcohol and two cellphones,” she said.

They then allegedly headed to Nyabane, where they robbed an airtime vendor of cash, airtime and groceries, which added up to R3 781.

Ms Nyathi said the accused persons threatened to kill the shop assistant and took groceries valued at R1,581.
After that, Malvern and Bornwell and their three accomplices allegedly attacked another shop attendant and took a solar inverter, batteries and cash, all amounting to R8,634, before they fled.