Serial robber to undergo mental exam

A SERIAL robber and rapist who had pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, five counts of robbery and 22 counts of unlawful entry on his initial appearance in court on Wednesday, exhibited elements of psychiatric disorder when he returned to court yesterday.

Issa Siyabu (36) was back for the finalisation of his plea recording, with the presiding magistrate Mrs Loice Mukunyadze making sure he agreed to the details before proceeding with the State giving evidence in aggravation.

On Wednesday, Siyabu pleaded guilty to all the charges when they were read to him and initially advised the court not to waste its time reading every count and the circumstances to him as he voluntarily admitted to having committed the 29 offences.

But when Siyabu was called to the dock yesterday, he then started shouting meaningless things prompting the magistrate to order that he be examined mentally.

He is expected to come back to court after a fortnight pending the psychiatric results which will come from two different doctors.

Siyabu, who lived in Chegutu, but committed the crimes in Harare, raided homes in upmarket suburbs mostly Mount Pleasant and Borrowdale and would at times target influential people.

Among the victims is former Harare Mayor Mr Bernard Manyenyeni who was burgled at his house last month at around 11pm whilst he was sleeping.

Siyabu stole a laptop, six Kenyan passports and other documents and went away unnoticed. He also burgled businessman Mr Arnold Ajara on December 23 during the night when Siyabu scaled over the precast wall to gain entry into the house and took away a Play Station 5, Macbook Air, Bose speaker, iPhone 14 plus cellphone and JBL Speaker all worth US$5 000 and went away.

Siyabu hit Better Brands Petroleum executive manager Mr Simbarashe Makomichi on Boxing Day last year at his house and this time it was a robbery.

Siyabu entered his bedroom while holding a knife and threatened to kill Mr Makomichi and his wife if they resisted his demands.

Siyabu took US$1 200 cash, an iPhone 11 pro cellphone, an iPhone X cellphone, iPad, and cash in Kwacha equivalent to US$800 and went away. The total value stolen is US$5 200 and nothing was recovered.

On two different occasions, he also raped two women after invading their houses during the night.

Siyabu had been on the police wanted list for the past four years and was finally tracked down to Chegutu by CID Borrowdale who arrested him.