Zim GBC News | Court Reporter
Bulawayo – Five men accused of being part of a machete-wielding gang that terrorized Bulawayo’s eastern suburbs have been acquitted after the court found insufficient evidence to secure a conviction.
Mpho Ncube, Thabani Zondo, Thembalani Sibanda, Ashoton Ncube, and Shelton Ngwenya faced six charges, including armed robbery and malicious damage to property, before Bulawayo regional magistrate Archie Wochiwunga.
In a ruling delivered this week, Magistrate Wochiwunga cited fundamental inconsistencies in the witnesses’ accounts, which ultimately undermined the state’s case. The men were represented by lawyer Tinashe Runganga of Tanaka Law Chambers.
“Witnesses failed to prove that there was robbery,” stated Magistrate Wochiwunga.
“One claimed they were attacked while fixing a punctured tyre around 4AM, but only reported it later at 4PM. Another said they were robbed near Mahatshula while coming from Killarney. With these conflicting versions, which one should the court believe? They are therefore found not guilty and acquitted.”
The state had alleged that the group was responsible for a series of violent incidents in July, which included smashing car windows, robbing victims of cellphones and cash, and threatening individuals with machetes at various locations including Parklands and Mahatshula.
The acquittal has left the named victims stunned and is likely to raise concerns within the affected communities about the challenges of prosecuting violent gang-related crimes.
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