MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU– Three notorious robbers who committed a spate of armed robberies in Mvuma and Mberengwa have been sentenced to effective 30 years each in prison.
The trio was convicted of 7 counts of robbery at the close of the State case due to overwhelming evidence.
Police recovered guns and stolen vehicles which the three accused were using to commit the crimes.
Rainos Takawira (42) of Highfield Harare, Praise Gudyanga (27) of Zimunya Mutare and Tinashe Marimo (22) from Murehwa were initially sentenced to 30 years each in prison by Gweru Regional Magistrate, Christopher Maturure.
Three years were suspended for good behavior and another two years was set aside on condition that each pay a restitution of US$4 374 to their victims.
“The two years will be added to effective prison sentence if the accused persons fail to restitute the victims,” said Magistrate Maturure.
Appearing for the State, Talent Tadenyika told the court that on June 28, 2022 at around 8pm, acting in connivance Takawira, Gudyanga and Marimo robbed and stole valuables worth US$40 000 before severely assaulting Charity Mapiravana in Mvuma.
The court heard that the trio forcibly opened the dining room door, with Marimo proceeding to assault Mapiravana on the head and arms several times using an iron bar and a wooden axe handle.
Marimo threatened to shoot her whilst demanding cash and other valuables.
“Fearing for her life Mapiravana handed over her car keys for a white Toyota Hilux with a South African registration number parked outside the house, two by 24 volts Digimark solar power batteries, Ecco amplifier Bluetooth speakers, 4000 watts pure wave power inverter, Mobicel cellphone, Tecno cellphone, 300 watts Digimark power inverter, one adaptor, three pin plug, one solar charging controller, four crates of eggs, cash amounting to US$12 and they drove away in the stolen Toyota Hilux,” said Tadenyika.
The court heard that on 29 June at around 11pm the trio robbed GTS fuel service station in Mberengwa.
“Clad in a police uniform, Marimo ordered Nicholas Moyo to open the office door before firing shots through the window, forced himself inside and ordered the complainant as well as fuel attendance to lie down.
“Gundyanga then took Moyo’s car keys for Toyota Wish, loaded the Man Tight Safe containing US$9 519 into the boot, refueled 40 liters of petrol and drove away,” added prosecutor Tadenyika.
On June 30, the court heard that at 1pm Takawira, Gudyanga and Marimo were intercepted and arrested in Masvingo at Croco Motors bus terminus by Criminal Investigations Department team led by Detective Assistant Inspector Edwell Chipfakacha.
Valuables worth US$35 000 were recovered.
