Crimes and Courts
BULAWAYO – The Bulawayo High Court has refused bail to five alleged machete gang members, citing them as a serious flight risk and a danger to the community. The group is accused of a violent crime spree involving armed robberies and malicious damage to property in the city’s eastern suburbs.
The accused—Mpho Ncube, Thabani Zondo, Thembalani Sibanda, Ashoton Ncube, and Shelton Ngwenya—faced a bail hearing before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Mark Dzira on six serious charges.
In his ruling, Magistrate Dzira emphasized the gravity of the offences and the weapons used.
“The accused persons used dangerous weapons, primarily machetes, which are banned and whose possession is itself a criminal offence,” he stated.
“Facing charges that carry potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison, the court finds that they are highly likely to abscond.”
The prosecution successfully argued that the suspects had provided investigators with unreliable and often fictitious addresses, further strengthening the case against granting bail.
“The propensity to provide multiple, non-existent addresses to detectives significantly increases the likelihood of them fleeing justice,” Magistrate Dzira noted, highlighting the aggravating circumstances of the crimes.
All five individuals are represented by Tinashe Runganga of Tanaka Law Chambers. They have been remanded in custody until September 22, when their trial is set to begin.
According to court papers, the gang’s alleged rampage began on July 29 in Killarney suburb, where they are accused of smashing the windows of a Honda Fit vehicle belonging to Zibusiso Zondo.
The group then reportedly moved through the Killarney and Parklands areas, targeting homes and stealing property.
The incidents were reported to the police, and subsequent investigations by homicide detectives led to the arrest of the five suspects.
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