News / National
Robbery syndicate busted after 65 felonies
30 Jan 2019 at 02:59hrs | Views
A ROBBERY syndicate from Lower Gweru has been busted after racking up 65 felonies in the Midlands Province last year.
Knowledge Nkomo (26), Hlonipani Sibanda (28) and Jabulani Sibanda (35) appeared before Gweru provincial magistrate Charity Maphosa, who remanded them in custody to February 14. They were not asked to plead.
Prosecutor Andrew Marimo indicated that the State would bring over 30 witnesses when the trial begins.
The State alleges that between January and November last year, the trio broke into several homes and assaulted victims who had made attempts to intercept them using iron bars before getting away with cash, household property and other items valued at over $30 000.
Thomas Mhlanga of Lower Gweru, under Chief Sikombela, lost his mobile phone and cash amounting to $1 169 when he fell victim to the syndicate.
On May 7, 2018, the three broke into a shop operated by Oliver Matwasa at Lower Gweru Shopping Centre where they assaulted the shop attendant before getting away with groceries worth $2 150, including R1 500.
Using the same modus operandi, on June 29, 2018, the trio broke into Colberte Masuka's house at Plot 19, Willowrun Farm in Gweru, where they got away with household furniture, US$2 225 and $30 bond notes.
Towards the end of the year, the three allegedly went into hiding in Bulawayo, but their luck ran out when they committed another crime and were arrested. Upon investigation, police discovered that they had committed similar crimes in Gweru.
Knowledge Nkomo (26), Hlonipani Sibanda (28) and Jabulani Sibanda (35) appeared before Gweru provincial magistrate Charity Maphosa, who remanded them in custody to February 14. They were not asked to plead.
Prosecutor Andrew Marimo indicated that the State would bring over 30 witnesses when the trial begins.
The State alleges that between January and November last year, the trio broke into several homes and assaulted victims who had made attempts to intercept them using iron bars before getting away with cash, household property and other items valued at over $30 000.
Thomas Mhlanga of Lower Gweru, under Chief Sikombela, lost his mobile phone and cash amounting to $1 169 when he fell victim to the syndicate.
On May 7, 2018, the three broke into a shop operated by Oliver Matwasa at Lower Gweru Shopping Centre where they assaulted the shop attendant before getting away with groceries worth $2 150, including R1 500.
Using the same modus operandi, on June 29, 2018, the trio broke into Colberte Masuka's house at Plot 19, Willowrun Farm in Gweru, where they got away with household furniture, US$2 225 and $30 bond notes.
Towards the end of the year, the three allegedly went into hiding in Bulawayo, but their luck ran out when they committed another crime and were arrested. Upon investigation, police discovered that they had committed similar crimes in Gweru.
Source - newsday
