Notorious robbers jailed 87 years

TWO notorious robbers, Tapiwa Enock Samungure Machona (45) and Tetanda Munyaradzi Kangai (47), were last week convicted, and sentenced to a joint 87 years in prison for terrorising villagers in rural parts of Makoni District last year.

The duo committed 14 counts of robbery in areas such as Tandi, Chiwetu, Chindukuro, and Mukamba, targeting their victims under the cover of darkness. They stole goods valued at US$4 957.

Machona, from Chief Saunyama in Nyanga, and Kangai, from Farm 343, Zviyambe in Hwedza, had pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they appeared before Rusape magistrate, Ms Rufaro Mangwiro.

However, the State represented by Mr Takunda Muzenda, presented overwhelming evidence against the pair, securing their conviction and lengthy incarceration.

Ms Mangwiro sentenced Machona to 44 years, before suspending 34 years on condition of restitution of US$3 640 and good behaviour.

He will serve 10 effective years.

Kangai was sentenced to 43 years, before 34 years were set aside on condition of restituting US$3 640.

He will serve an effective nine years.

Mr Muzenda told the court that the two started robbing villagers in May 2024, and their luck ran out in July 2024, when they dropped a cellphone that had Kangai’s pictures, and detectives used it to track and brought them to book.

“On May 5, 2024 at around 1am, the accused persons connived and proceeded to Ms Pamela Makwaya’s homestead in Chiwetu Village, where upon arrival they broke a window using a wooden log, and Machona entered inside the house, while Kangai remained outside. Machona threatened to kill the complainant, at the same time demanding cash and valuables. He tore the complainant’s curtain which he used to tie Ms Makwanya’s hands and legs.

“Machona stole four cellphones, US$70, a 32-inch television set and shaving machine. After stealing the property, Machona took the complainant’s house keys, unlocked the main door and went away. Value stolen is US$672, and recovered is US$10.

“On May 18, 2024 at around 1.30am, the accused persons proceeded to Ms Sandra Chingwena’s house where they broke the door using a big stone. They gained entry while armed with a knife and wooden hoe handle. They threatened to kill the complainant, demanding cash. They stole US$881, and only US$135 was recovered,” said Mr Muzenda.

They also robbed another villager and three Nyakuipa High School learners using the same modus operandi.

“On May 20, 2024 at around 11pm, the accused persons proceeded to Ms Modester Mushonga’s homestead where they broke the door, and entered into the house, armed with a machete and wooden log. They ordered her to keep quiet, and at the same time demanding cash. They ransacked the whole house, and stole electronic goods and clothes valued at US$861. Goods valued at US$110 were recovered.

“On May 30, 2024 at around 11pm, Royen Rwasumba (19), Frank Chirara (19) and a 16-year-old juvenile, who are all learners at Nyakuipa High School were sleeping at the Rwasumba homestead. The accused persons broke the main door with a stone to gain entry. While inside the house, armed with logs, they threatened to kill the three learners, while demanding cellphones from them. They went on to tie the three learners’ legs with neck ties and a string, threatening to kill them. They stole property valued at US$250, and only property valued at US$30 was recovered. They were arrested while in possession of the complainants’ yellow jersey, pair of shorts and shoes,” said Mr Muzenda.

The two also stormed another house, before stuffing cloths in the mouths of their victims to silence them, including a 102-year-old grandmother.

They also attacked two learners from Sanzaguru High School.

“On June 3, 2024 around 1am, Ms Spiwe Maphosa was sleeping in the sitting room at the Rwasoka homestead in Gunda Village under Chief Tandi in the company of Mrs Annah Rwasoka (102), who was sleeping in her bedroom when the accused persons broke the main door with a stone, and one of them gained entry into the house.

“While inside, the accused person, armed with a wooden handle, threatened Ms Maphosa, and demanded money from her. He took Ms Maphosa’s cellphone. They tied her hands from the back using a string, stuffed a cloth in her mouth, and covered her face with a cloth. They went to the bedroom where Mrs Masoka was sleeping, and stuffed a cloth in her mouth. They went on to steal goods valued at US$560, and only goods valued at US$25 were recovered.

“On June 6, 2024 around 3am, Ms Zororo Jera (29), was sleeping in her bedroom when he was awakened by a huge bang on the door caused by the accused persons, who had hit it with a big stone to gain entry. While inside, the accused persons, armed with a log, threatened to assault Ms Jera, and ordered her to cover her face with a blanket, and she complied. They stole goods valued at US$100, and only goods valued at US$10 were recovered.

“On June 24, 2024 at around 9pm, a 17-year-old juvenile, and Marvelous Warambwa (19), learners at Sanzaguru High School, were at their homestead in Chindukuro Village, preparing to sleep when the accused persons entered into their house holding a wooden log and metal bar.

“They threatened to kill the complainants, while demanding valuables from them. They took cellphones, clothes and blankets, valued at US$750, and goods worth US$385 were recovered,” said Mr Muzenda.

They again robbed a villager in front of her children, before pouncing on a lady teacher at Chiwetu Primary School as their evil escapades continued.

“On June 26, 2024 at 2am, Ms Elizabeth Marugasi (31) of Mukamba Village, Chief Tandi was in the company of her children when the accused persons broke into their house wielding a shovel.

“Ms Marugasi’s children screamed for help, but stopped when the accused persons threatened to torch the house. They stole electrical goods, cellphones, clothes, and other goods worth US$390. Goods valued at US$157 were recovered.

“On June 30, 2024 at around 4am, Ms Louisa Mazikana (43), a teacher at Chiwetu Primary School was sleeping in her house with her niece and nephew when the accused person broke into her room, instructing them to cover their faces, and they complied. The pair stole property worth US$350, and goods worth US$250 were recovered,” said Mr Muzenda.

However, luck eluded them when their 73-year-old victim, Mr Lazarus Ratimba and his wife screamed, and neighbhours responded quickly, forcing the two to take to their heels.

They dropped a cellphone which the police used to track them.

“On July 9, 2024, Mr Lazarus Ratimba (73), of Magombo Village, Chief Makoni, was resting in his house with his wife, Ms Doreen Ratimba. The accused persons forced opened the door, and entered their house. Mr Ratimba shouted for help, but was hit on the face and on the ribs by the accused persons. The duo ordered the couple to crawl to their bedroom and cover themselves with blankets, and they complied.

“The accused fled with stolen property worth US$100 upon noticing the complainant’s neighbours approaching to assist. They threatened the neighbours with death if they pursued them.

“During their escape, Kangai dropped a cellphone and a brown jacket approximately 100 metres from the complainant’s homestead. They discarded the stolen belongings near a graveyard, except for an Okapi knife,” said Mr Muzenda.

Mr Ratimba reported the robbery to the police.

Upon examining the recovered cellphone, police officers found pictures of Kangai. Further investigation revealed that the cellphone had been stolen in a similar robbery case in Mudzi.

“In another incident on July 12, 2024, at around 2am, Ms Jacquiline Rukani and her husband, Mr Richard Seda, were in their bedroom when the accused broke in. Armed with wooden logs, the accused ordered the couple to cover themselves with blankets, and tied Mr Seda to the bed using shoelaces. They stole a cellphone valued at US$150, which was later recovered,” said Mr Muzenda.