Notorious Mozambican thieves jailed 35 years

A NOTORIOUS syndicate of Mozambican burglars who caused sleepless nights in the city’s leafy suburbs, stealing property worth thousands of dollars has been sentenced to a collective 35 years in prison.

Francisco Bobo Gaba (35) of Bairo Mugoriyondo under Chief Sauri, Mozambique and Gift Jose Sandi Munyayari (36) who hails from the same village have since appeared before Mutare provincial magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe.

It was difficult for police to track down the thieves because each time they pounced and stole they fled back to Mozambique through the treacherous Cecil Kopje Game Park and sold the property in the neighbouring country.

The duo was convicted after the State led by Mr Fletcher Karombe presented overwhelming evidence that warranted a conviction.

Munyayari was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment after he was convicted of five theft counts. Of his sentence, two years were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour while three more years were suspended on condition that he restitutes the complainants.

Gaba was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for six counts of theft. Two years were suspended for five years on conditions of good behaviour and eight years were further suspended on condition that he restitutes the complainants by April 6.

The arrest of the duo follows the capture of another Mozambican, Smart Mukombe who masterminded the criminal activities together with Gaba and Sandi. Their arrest helped the police to solve more than 60 cases of unlawful entry that were piling at Mutare Central Police Station.