Robbers Leave “Contact Details” For Police At Crime Scene
Two Rusape men who attacked a security guard and robbed him of his gun were caught by the police after they accidentally dropped their cellphone at the scene.
Leeroy Maphosa (32) and Pfumai Kubangaradza (43), both of NE 224 Vengere, Rusape, appeared before Rusape magistrate Tendai Mahwe and pleaded guilty to a single count of robbery.
Magistrate Mahwe sentenced them to five years each, suspending six months on condition of good behaviour.
Six more months were also suspended on condition that each repays US$200, leaving them to serve four years in jail.
Prosecutor Faith Mutukwa told the court that the pair, along with four accomplices, attacked 47-year-old security guard Obert Masharata at Zimati Farm.
The gang intended to steal an armoured cable from a pump station at Rusape Dam wall, and in the process, overpowered Masharata and took his gun. Said Mutukwa:
“On February 19, 2026, the two accused persons, together with their four accomplices who are yet to appear at court, hatched a plan to steal armoured cable from Rusape Dam pump station.
“At around 6.30 pm, the accused persons went to the dam wall where they waylaid Masharata on his way out of duty and disarmed him of his service 12-bore shotgun with two live rounds.
“The accused persons also took Masharata’s Itel cellphone before tying him with a rope on his hands and legs.
“The accused persons went on and cut 12 meters of armoured cable using a bolt cutter from the water pump at the dam wall.
“The accused persons were later disturbed by Masharata’s supervisor, who arrived at the scene on a motorcycle for routine checks.”
Mutukwa also revealed that the accused fled the scene, leaving a bolt cutter behind.
Masharata was untied by his supervisor and went to the police to report the incident. Officers attended the scene and recovered the bolt cutter along with the ropes used to tie him up.
While making their getaway, Maphosa and Kubangaradza dropped the stolen gun, Maphosa’s cellphone, and Masharata’s phone, which helped detectives track them down and make the arrests. Said Mutukwa:
“On February 26, at around 9 am, the complainant picked accused one’s cellphone at the scene and handed it over to the police.
“On the same day, the stolen firearm and the stolen cellphone were also recovered at the nearby bush by the complainant and were handed over to the police.
“On March 10, 2026, police detectives received information which led to the arrest of two accused persons at Vengere Bus Terminus.
“On March 11, 2026, the accused were escorted by detectives to the scene where they made indications. The value of stolen property is US$1000, and US$600 was recovered.”
– _The Manica Post_
