FAITH NDOU
CHIREDZI-Magistrate Elijah Sibanda of Chiredzi Regional Court sentenced three robbers to 10 years imprisonment each after convicting them on four counts of theft.
One year of each sentence was suspended for five years.
The convicted trio, Silent Davulemani (28), Chrispen Chilosana (26) and Willis Matsaure (31), appeared before the court following a series of violent robbery attacks targeting business owners in Chikombedzi, Chiredzi District.
Circumstances are that on February 13, 2026, at around 2200 hours, the accused persons, together with their accomplices, went on a robbery spree at Makhosiya and Ngirandi Business Centres in Chikombedzi.
The gang allegedly forced entry into four shops and violently assaulted shop owners who were asleep on their premises before stealing various goods and cash totalling ZAR13 870 and US$385 as well as a Samsung A06 cellphone.
ZRP Masvingo provincial spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa confirmed the matter in a statement dated May 9, 2026.
According to Dehwa, police later received credible information on February 18 that the suspects were travelling aboard a scotch cart from Chiredzi to Chambuta.
“Officers intercepted them and the trio was arrested,” said Dehwa.
Dehwa said the conviction and sentencing of the suspects demonstrate the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing and the important role played by members of the public in fighting crime.
“This outcome stands as a testament to the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing and the indispensable role played by a community that refused to let criminality go unanswered,” he said.
He commended members of the public who supplied information which led to the arrests.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police, Masvingo Province, extends its sincere commendation to members of the public who came forward with information that proved decisive in securing these arrests. Your courage and civic responsibility made justice possible,” said Dehwa.
Police also urged members of the public to continue reporting suspicious activities and criminal behaviour to assist in the prevention, investigation and detection of crime across the province.
