-as gang leader spills beans
TONDERAI SAHARO
MASVINGO CITY- Two of the four notorious armed robbers who had terrorised businesses in Masvingo have appeared in court under heavy police guard while in hospital after sustaining injuries during a shoot out.
The armed robbers appeared before Magistrate Ivy Jaona in bed while in cuffs at Masvingo Provincial Hospital male ward.
The two, Pharaoh Moyo (27) from Mwenezi and Nkosana (30) were shot on the legs on 12 January while trying to flee from detectives during a police indications process in Clipsham View, during investigations.
They are receiving treatment at Masvingo Provincial Hospital under heavy police guard.
Their accomplices, Terrence Mpofu (21) from Gweru and Genious Washaya (21) from Mwenenzi appeared at Masvingo Magistrate Court and were remanded in custody to 25 January.
The four member gang is alleged to have terrorised business people in and around Masvingo City during the festive season where they stole US$10 474 cash and property.
Property worth US$5 500 was recovered .
They are facing four counts of armed robbery.
Godknows Mugondo told the court that the gang armed with pliers, knives, iron bar and a catapult while wearing balaclavas pounced on Abinel Tongonya at his business premises around midnight of 14 December.
Court heard that the gang cut the security fence to the premises and forced entry into Tongonya’s room where he was sleeping with a roommate.
The court was told that they threatened the complainant with death while demanding cash and other valuables.
The gang was given US$21 cash and two cellphones, power banks before locking the room from outside and went away.
On the same day the gang used the same modus operandi at Earnest Chirere’s residence in the same neighborhood where they assaulted him with iron bars before leaving with two cellphones valued at US$140.
On the third account the court heard that, the following morning at around 2 am the gang went to Israel Sibanda’s home in the same suburb and forced entry into his house.
Sibanda screamed for help and one Kudakwashe Chikura tried to intervene, but was heavily assaulted by the gang before he was stabbed several times on his left hand.
The gang then ransacked the house and took US$1 500 cash, four cellphones and disappeared.
The last account took place on 8 January this year, when the four went to Calvin Mavakise’s house in Clipsharm View and forced entry into his house and severely assaulted him while demanding cash.
They were given US$100 cash and took two cellphones, a laptop, 16 by 20 liter coupons, 2l Jameson Whisky, 750ml Jack Daniels whisky and went away.
Their luck ran out on 11 January when detectives from CID Masvingo received information that the gang leader, David Mkosana was hiding at a house in Gweru.
His arrest led to the recovery of some of the stolen properties and he assisted the police to lure his three accomplices who were subsequently arrested in Kwekwe.
