Ex-soldier steals $20 cellphone

A FORMER Zimbabwe National Army soldier waylaid a man who was walking past Delta Beverages premises in Gokwe Centre late at night, pinned him down commando style and stole a cellphone worth $20 and $2 cash.

Moses Ranganai Mhoya pinned an unsuspecting Benias Kofi to the ground around 10pm and firmly pressed an iron bar against his neck, until he almost suffocated and let go of the phone and $2.

A Gokwe magistrate heard how Mhoya tactically drew a knife and threatened to stab Kofi if he did not comply.

Kofi later identified Mhoya when he came across him at Mapfungautsi, resulting in his arrest. But Mhoya escaped from police custody but was rearrested at Mapfungautsi again.

Gokwe magistrate, Ms Sithabile Zungula last week sentenced Mhoya to three years in prison; two years for stealing a cellphone and one year for escaping from police custody. One month was suspended on condition that he restitutes the complainant.

Agreed facts are that on 28 July at around 10pm, Mhoya approached the complainant who was walking past Delta Beverages premises in Gokwe and pinned him down by placing an iron bar on his neck. Mhoya drew out a knife from his pocket and threatened to stab the complainant if he did not give him the money. He then robbed him of a Nokia 1280 and a wallet which had $2.

When he was initially arrested, Mhoya, while on the way to police station, asked to relieve himself in the nearby push and permission was granted. He took advantage of the opportunity and fled from two police officers who had arrested him. Mr Progress Chaisva prosecuted.