News / Regional
100 years for robber rapists
21 Jun 2016 at 09:25hrs | Views
FOUR armed robbers who allegedly committed about 200 crimes across the country were yesterday sentenced to a total of 100 years in prison for gang raping a woman and robbing three people in Bulawayo's Mahatshula suburb.
Ntandoyenkosi Sidumbu (23) and Bongeni Tshuma (28) both of Msilahobe Village, Chief Malisa, Silobela, Kelvin Masuku Moyo (18) and Lameck Busiso Masuku Moyo (30) of Somabhula Wida Farm Plot 8, pleaded guilty to four counts of rape and robbery before Regional Magistrate Mr Chrispen Mberewere.
Their alleged ring leader, who was armed with a gun during the crimes, Sibangilizwe Nyathi, is hospitalised after being shot by the police when they arrested him. Magistrate Mberewere said the crew belonged in prison as they were brutal monsters who preyed on the vulnerable, especially women.
He sentenced three of the gangsters to an effective 20 years in jail each for the gang rape, the maximum sentence that one can get for rape. "The manner in which the woman was robbed and later raped is very humiliating. She will carry the trauma until she dies. You're heartless criminals. You forced your victim to undress and took turns to rape her," said Magistrate Mberewere.
"The court isn't impressed by your claim that the absentee co-accused Sibangilizwe Nyathi is the one who enticed grown men like you to commit all these crimes. You're therefore sentenced to 20 years imprisonment each". He sentenced the four men to 10 years imprisonment each for robbing the rape victim and two other men on April 25 this year.
Prosecuting, Mr Simbarashe Manyiwa told the court that the men boarded a haulage truck along the Bulawayo – Harare highway at around 9PM.
"They pretended to be genuine passengers while Nyathi followed behind the truck using a white Toyota vehicle that was to be the getaway car. When they got to Bulawayo, the two asked the driver to stop as they wanted to relieve themselves and Nyathi took the opportunity to jump into the vehicle and fired one shot into the air," said Mr Manyiwa.
He said Nyathi ordered the other two passengers out of the truck. "The three complainants including the driver were forced out of the vehicle and were ordered to undress. The gang stole phones, cash and other property all amounting to $160."
Mr Manyiwa said three of the men dragged the woman away from the crime scene and took turns to rape her. The four were arrested last Friday in Gweru. They have been linked to a spate of armed robberies, unlawful entry and theft and rape cases.
After their arrest, they allegedly confessed to 33 crimes committed around Gweru. Police sources said detectives solved numerous robbery and rape offences in areas including Bulawayo, Nkayi, Murehwa, Shangani, Gwanda, Silobela, Gweru, Chegutu and Kwekwe following the arrest of the suspects.
They said the gang listed about 200 crimes that they allegedly committed countrywide.
Ntandoyenkosi Sidumbu (23) and Bongeni Tshuma (28) both of Msilahobe Village, Chief Malisa, Silobela, Kelvin Masuku Moyo (18) and Lameck Busiso Masuku Moyo (30) of Somabhula Wida Farm Plot 8, pleaded guilty to four counts of rape and robbery before Regional Magistrate Mr Chrispen Mberewere.
Their alleged ring leader, who was armed with a gun during the crimes, Sibangilizwe Nyathi, is hospitalised after being shot by the police when they arrested him. Magistrate Mberewere said the crew belonged in prison as they were brutal monsters who preyed on the vulnerable, especially women.
He sentenced three of the gangsters to an effective 20 years in jail each for the gang rape, the maximum sentence that one can get for rape. "The manner in which the woman was robbed and later raped is very humiliating. She will carry the trauma until she dies. You're heartless criminals. You forced your victim to undress and took turns to rape her," said Magistrate Mberewere.
"The court isn't impressed by your claim that the absentee co-accused Sibangilizwe Nyathi is the one who enticed grown men like you to commit all these crimes. You're therefore sentenced to 20 years imprisonment each". He sentenced the four men to 10 years imprisonment each for robbing the rape victim and two other men on April 25 this year.
"They pretended to be genuine passengers while Nyathi followed behind the truck using a white Toyota vehicle that was to be the getaway car. When they got to Bulawayo, the two asked the driver to stop as they wanted to relieve themselves and Nyathi took the opportunity to jump into the vehicle and fired one shot into the air," said Mr Manyiwa.
He said Nyathi ordered the other two passengers out of the truck. "The three complainants including the driver were forced out of the vehicle and were ordered to undress. The gang stole phones, cash and other property all amounting to $160."
Mr Manyiwa said three of the men dragged the woman away from the crime scene and took turns to rape her. The four were arrested last Friday in Gweru. They have been linked to a spate of armed robberies, unlawful entry and theft and rape cases.
After their arrest, they allegedly confessed to 33 crimes committed around Gweru. Police sources said detectives solved numerous robbery and rape offences in areas including Bulawayo, Nkayi, Murehwa, Shangani, Gwanda, Silobela, Gweru, Chegutu and Kwekwe following the arrest of the suspects.
They said the gang listed about 200 crimes that they allegedly committed countrywide.
Source - chronicle
