Wells Mazhore of ZMDC, Chegutu (20) and Tanaka Chimbera of Mhondoro (21) were arraigned before the Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Court facing robbery charges.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, on the 8th of February 2023, at around 2200hours, the two accused individuals were picked up along the way by the complainant (31) a taxi driver who worked along the Chinhoyi-Chegutu road in a brown Honda Fit, along with their accomplice, Takunda Amos, who has already been found guilty.
He dropped off the remaining travellers in Chinhoyi Town. The accused stayed in the car and offered to pay a fare of USD 20 in exchange for being dropped off at Matura, Eldorado, Chinhoyi. The complainants stopped the car and pulled over by the side of the road when the accused made a request to relieve themselves.
When the accused person pulled out a machete from his trousers and threatened to kill the complainant, demanding the complainant’s car keys, cash and cellphone. They searched the complainant and took USD60 and an Itel P38 cellphone. The first accused person took charge of the complainant’s motor vehicle while the second accused person pushed complainant out of the vehicle.
The complainant made a police report. Police officers intercepted the stolen motor vehicle at Warren Park traffic light, Harare. The accused persons managed to escape leaving the complainant’s motor vehicle behind. They were arrested in a separate robbery case on 20 February 2023 in Norton.
The total value stolen is USD6 160 and USD6 000 was recovered.
The accused persons were sentenced to 5 years imprisonment of which 10 months were suspended for 5 years. A further 2 months was suspended on condition of restitution USD80.
