Eugene Dhlamini
Court reporter
Four suspects from Bulawayo have been arraigned before the court of law to answer for charges of armed robbery and the Zimbabwe Republic Police is hunting for the fifth suspect.
Shepherd Samson Moyo, (27), Peter Mare (28) Zenzo Mhambi (37), and Bruce Ephraim Makara, (29), are accused of robbing a Bulawayo mining equipment supplier at gunpoint.
Prosecutor Nkazimulo Xaba told the court that a fifth suspect, Japhet Mupunga who is believed to be the mastermind is still at large.
Xaba also explained that on the 11th of March 2023 Shepard Moyo, Peter Mare and Zenzo Mhambi drove to Fideliquip on Fife Street and 13th Avenue in a silver Honda Fit that Peter Mare provided as a gate away car.
The gate way car with registration number plate ACJ 2538 was affixed with registration number ACD 4509.
Another accused Bruce Makara who works as a workshop manager at Ball Joint Centre situated close to Fideliquip provided information on the company’s financial transactions.
State’s allegations are that the three accused persons Moyo, Mare, Mhambi and Mupunga proceeded to the Fideliquip entrance with a pistol and knife, leaving Mare outside as a lookout.
The trio, approached two complainants Shepherd Mudondo and Alfred Ndudzo employed at Fideliquip demanding cash.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, Mhambi stabbed Ndudzo once below the right buttock and the two complainants surrendered a black bag with cash amounting to US$1800, an Itel mobile phone, two Samsung J6 plus phones, a Gtel Infinity phone and an Itel tablet.
“When the accused demanded more money, Ndudzo indicated that there was some cash hidden in the company toilet that amounted to US$800 and after collecting it, they tied up the complainants using cable ties and locked them in the toilet,” Xaba said.
The matter was reported to the police and detectives arrested Moyo and Mare who were still using the gateway car in Nkulumane, Bulawayo.
Mhambi was later arrested and US$470 was recovered as well as one Samsung J6 plus, US$300 was recovered from Peter Mare.
The four suspects appeared before Magistrate Joseph Mabeza and date for trial is 28 March 2023.
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