Unrepentant thieves’ reign of terror

HARDLY two months after their release from prison through the Presidential Amnesty, three notorious Rusape burglars unleashed a reign of terror in the town, breaking into several houses and stealing goods worth more than $322 000.

Nineteen-year-old Stewart Mutirwara, Micheal Trust Mumba (24) and Julius Chikore (34) were all serving time at Rusape Prison for housebreaking offences before they were pardoned.

The trio appeared in court last week facing nine counts of house breaking under aggravated circumstances.

They were not asked to plead by magistrate, Mr Obedience Matare, and were denied bail.

The matter was adjourned to May 26. Mutirwara, who started his criminal life years back, was once expelled from a Harare-based probation centre.

Last year, he was sentenced to a twoyear jail term for unlawful entry.

He also had a number of convictions which he got away with warnings, thanks to his age as he was still a minor.

In some cases, complainants would withdraw charges against him due to his young age.

Chikore was also serving a two-year jail term after being convicted on four counts of unlawful entry.

On the other hand, Mumba has more than two previous convictions which the court is still verifying.

State prosecutor, Mr Roy Weja, said the trio broke into nine homes, stealing household property such as furniture and electrical appliances, as well as cash.

“On April 22, Mumba and Chikore went to Prisca Rukambe’s house and used an unknown object to force open the main door to gain entry and steal household goods.

“During the same night, they proceeded to Silverbow, where the complainant was away and used an unknown object to cut the security fence and force open the door.

They used the same modus operandi in Vengere and Magamba Extension. Mutirwara, Mumba and one Anyway Sileti allegedly broke into a house in Silverbow and got away with valuable items.

Mutirwara, in the company of some accomplices who are still at large, also broke into four houses and stole several household goods.

“In May, the accused person, in the company of Mandlenkosi Ncube who is still at large, broke into a house in Vengere and stole some groceries.

Detectives received a tip-off that the accused persons were behind the spate of break-ins and arrested them.

“Value of stolen property is $322 000 and $178 130 was recovered,”said Mr Weja.