Crimes and Courts Correspondent
BINDURA – Three men have been sentenced to a combined 38 years in prison after being convicted on 10 counts of robbery by the Bindura Magistrates’ Court.
The trio—Ladma Mutesa (39), Tapiwa Nyakudya (31), and Sande Saini (32)—were found guilty of orchestrating a series of violent home invasions in Nyakudya Mazarura Village, under Chief Masembura, which terrorized residents and left a trail of stolen property and injuries.
The robberies occurred on April 21, 2024, when the three men, along with accomplices Mike Mapona, alias Murefu, Shoti, and Fungai (who remain at large), targeted homes in the village.
According to court documents, the group gained entry by forcing open back doors with iron bars. Once inside, they subdued six sleeping occupants, tying their hands with brick force wire and demanding cellphones.
“They ransacked the premises, stealing various household items and $350 in cash,” the court heard.
The following night, the gang struck again, this time posing as police officers to deceive the occupants into opening the door. Once inside, they assaulted the three residents and forced them into the main house, where they took more valuables, including cellphones.
“It was terrifying; they acted like they were law enforcement,” one victim recounted.
During this attack, a resident returning home in a Toyota Quantum was ambushed and beaten. The gang dragged him to a pigsty, tying him to a pole before stealing his cellphone and driving off in his vehicle. The stolen vehicle was later abandoned 2 kilometers away after developing mechanical issues and was subsequently recovered by authorities.
The swift arrest of the suspects followed on April 23, 2024, after a tip-off led police to the first accused, Mutesa, who then facilitated the apprehension of Nyakudya and Saini. The total value of stolen goods was estimated at $15,450, with $13,450 worth of property recovered.
In delivering the sentence, the magistrate stated,
“The actions of the accused were not only criminal but also deeply traumatizing for the victims. The court must send a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated.”
Each of the three men received a 38-year prison sentence. Authorities confirmed that efforts to track and apprehend the remaining accomplices are ongoing, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring justice for the victims.
Zim GBC News©2024