Notorious Gweru robbers plead guilty to 15 counts

THREE suspected notorious armed robbers who have been terrorising miners and businesspeople getting away with over $25 000, a vehicle and six rifles after allegedly killing two security guards have pleaded guilty to 15 counts of armed robbery.

The trio is part of a six-member gang linked to a spate of armed robberies in Zvishavane, Gweru, Shurugwi and Kadoma. They pleaded not guilty to three counts of armed robbery.

Prosecutors are preparing to charge them with six more armed robberies that occurred in Bulawayo.

Tapiwa Chimuti (29), Anyway Madala (27) and Simbarashe Machiritsa (40) all of Ascot Infill highdensity suburb in Gweru went for indications in Bulawayo on Tuesday.

They appeared before Gweru Regional Magistrate Mr Morgan Nemadire.

He remanded them in custody to today for commencement of trial.

Chimuti, Madala and Machiritsa said they did not rob Abel Sondo of Clonsilla Gweru, Tabani Mutombeni of Mkoba 15 , Dennis Nyoni of Mkoba 14 and Melody Ndlovu of Athlone all of Gweru.

Three of their accomplices Andrew Masendeke, Matrimony Nyathi and Sydney Mangisi are still at large.

Prosecutor Mr Lloyd Mavhiza told the court that the police were still investigating the murder of two security guards in Kadoma and Zvishavane.

Mr Nemadire said the trial will commence today while the police complete their investigations.

Mr Mavhiza said on January 17, the gang wearing masks and gloves raided Chaks Grocery Shop in Makusha suburb, Shurugwi, and demanded cash from a complainant at gunpoint and got away with $15.

He said the gang also went to Besta Mine which is located at Princess Farm in Shurugwi where they stole a 22 Winchester rifle, a 22H Lithgow rifle, a 12 bore Franchi short gun, a Theodor Bergmann shotgun and 16 shot gun live rounds as well as a pair of Hi-Tec shoes, a pair of Adidas shoes, a pair of green sandals, a VW Golf motor vehicle and $8 270.

Mr Mavhiza said the property and money had a combined value of $14 120.

The court heard that the alleged robbers — armed with a .303 rifle and a Star pistol — using the same modus operandi terrorised shop owners, miners and transporters in Gweru, Shurugwi and Kwekwe, robbing them of electrical goods, various amounts of money, rifles and live ammunition amounting to over $25 000.

Some of the property was recovered at lodgings of the suspects’ girlfriends in Ascot Infill suburb in Gweru, where they were arrested following a tip off from members of the public.

Detectives recovered household property which included beds, television sets, electrical gadgets, blankets and guns. — @Amanda49