-sentenced to 145 years behind bars
SHANNISE DZOBO
MASVINGO–Masvingo CID has made yet another big move in the fight against crime when they arrested two women and three man who were on a robbery spree where they stole US$41 000 in cash and goods.
In the other nine counts of robbery, Richard Banda(26) who resides at number 31416 Unit P, Seke, Chitungwiza, Karen Gidi(27) and Shyleen Gidi(23) of house number 955 Ushewokunze, Harare and Joshua Rambique(29) and Daniel Rambique(23) of number 1104 Chigwede, Ushewokunze in Harare appeared before Regional Magistrate, Bishard Chineka who sentenced them to a combined total of 145 years in jail.
One of the cases brought before the court was committed last year on 8 July, at around 8pm, Daniel Madyira(46) who resides at number 8020 Rusike Phase 2 in Marondera and also employed by the Ministry of Agriculture was driving a Toyota Hilux coming from Bulawayo proceeding to Harare when he offered transport to the five accused persons from Gweru to Harare.
The five accused persons boarded the vehicle with four occupying the rear passenger seat and the other one occupied the front passenger seat and upon reaching Whitehouse area in Harare one of the accused persons indicated that he had arrived and the complainant stopped to make way for him to disembark.
Suddenly one of the accused persons sitting behind the complainant’s seat grabbed him by the neck and the other one produced a knife and threatened to kill him if he refused to comply.
The others went on to search the complainant and took US$1 376 cash, a drivers’ licence, national identity card, a CBZ and Stanbic Bank cards, 6 by 20 litres Redan petrol fuel coupons and 480 litres Redan Diesel fuel coupons.
They took over control of the vehicle and drove to Mbudzi Roundabout, Harare where they dumped him and drove away with the complainant’s Pavillion laptop and a silver/brown projector.
The complainant proceeded to report the matter to Southlea Park Police Station.
On 19 July, 2022 the stolen vehicle was recovered intact dumped in Southlea Park area with keys on the ignition port and on the 14th of November, 2022 the accused persons were arrested by Masvingo CID in Harare and they recovered the stolen projector from one of the accused persons who implicated the other four.
The total cash and goods stolen is US$45 000 and US$41 000 was recovered.
