Unholy deeds prove costly for duo

Primrose Nyanzero Herald Reporter
A Chitungwiza duo was last week slapped with an effective eight-month prison term after being convicted of robbery by Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Francis Mapfumo. Tinashe Phiri of St Mary’s and Kelvin Manase of Zengeza 1 robbed Webster Chipatiso of his $33, an iPhone 6 and Gtel 306 cellphones both valued at $533.

The duo pleaded not guilty when they appeared in court facing robbery charges. Mr Mapfumo sentenced them to 12 months in prison, while two months were suspended for five years and a further two months were suspended on condition that the duo restitute Chipatiso his money. Prosecutor Mr Tatenda Mukatera proved that on October 14 this year at around 10pm, Chipatiso was waiting for his friend at Gungwa Night Club when Manase asked him for a cigarette and matches, but was given a 50 cent coin to get the items and return the change.

He returned the change and went away. He came back after 30 minutes in the company of three men who introduced themselves as St Mary’s residents. Manase asked Chipatiso for a beer and was given $2. The quartet shared the beer sitting next to Chipatiso who was busy with his phone. After some time the accused persons brought a lady to Chipatiso and left her with him only to return claiming Chipatiso owed them some money. Phiri pushed him to a dark corner and produced a knife and Manase took his wallet from his pocket while Phiri took his cellphones and fled from the scene.