Pair convicted of 31 counts of theft, assault
TWO daring robbers who have been terrorising villagers and schoolteachers in Bikita and Zaka in Masvingo, robbing their victims of cash and cellphones and raping them, were last Friday convicted of 31 counts of robbery, unlawful entry and theft.
The pair was initially facing 35 counts, 27 for robbery, two unlawful entry, two theft and four of rape.
The rape charges were referred to the regional court on grounds of jurisdiction.
Timothy Dzikira (26) of Mugeje Village under Chief Mazungunye in Bikita and Munyaradzi Hama (28) of Marinda Village under Chief Chiwara, Gutu, went on a robbing and raping spree, targeting school teachers and villagers, depriving them of their money, cellphones, among other valuables.
They stole things which valued at more than $5 000.
Appearing before Masvingo provincial magistrate Mr Takawira Mugabe, the pair was convicted on their own plea of guilty on 31 counts of robbery, unlawful and theft.
Mr Mugabe remanded the two in custody to today, for further reading of their charges and sentence.
Prosecutor Mr Edmond Mapope told the court that between November last year and May this year, in the wee hours of the morning, the pair used iron bars to force open doors to their victims’ houses and used axes and catapult to intimidate them.
The court heard that between November 12, 2017 and January 12 this year and on different occasions, the two went to Ms Magret Imbayago homestead, Mashongadoro Store at Makaya Business Centre, Mr Elisha Mucheke (58)’s homestead in Sengai Village in Chief Mukangwi area and stole an assortment of goods using the same method.
At one of the homes they took advantage of the owners’ absence and force open the door and stole a car battery, solar panel and inverter.
They also stole cash and cellphone from another home before driving away in one of their victims’ vehicle towards Masvingo city along the Masvingo-Mutare highway.
The vehicle was later recovered by police detectives while dumped in Masvingo’s Rhodene suburb on Januray 14.
The total value of property stolen was $3 544 and total value recovered was $3 000. On January 20, the pair went to Mr Elsiha Mucheke (58)’s home in Sengai Village at around 0200 hours and stole cellphones, a solar inverter, Toyota Funcargo car keys, grocery, among other items.