Warrant of arrest for businessman

HARARE provincial magistrate, Barbara Mateko yesterday issued a warrant of arrest for Gweru businessman, Joseph Manyumbu, after he failed to appear in court to testify against three suspected sex workers, who allegedly robbed him in the Avenues area in June this year.

The witness was supposed to give evidence against Rutendo Gogo, Melissa Chandisaita, Ruvarashe Mungani, Chipo Nyamande, Charmaine Mutenha and Yeukai Tsandukwa.

Prosecutor Nancy Chandakaona advised the court that Manyumbu had been continuously promising to attend the trial, but had failed to honour his promises.

This prompted Mateko to then issue a warrant of arrest to the complainant, saying one of the suspects, Tsandukwa, would suffer prejudice by the trial delays since she was still in custody.

The sex workers, who have several pending robbery cases, have, at times, been given long remand dates or removed from remand owing to the non-availability of their victims, who would be shy to testify in court.

Allegations against the suspects are that on June 5 this year, Manyumbu approached one Talent, who is still at large, and requested for sexual favours and she agreed to go to a hotel located along Samora Machel Avenue, where he was booked.

However, on their way, Talent asked Manyumbu to pass through her flat in town, where on arrival, she invited him inside the room and he complied.

The State alleges, while inside, the suspects besieged the room and locked the door, before they started assaulting him while demanding cash and valuables.

The State further alleges the suspects stole Manyumbu's $300 before forcing him to transfer $82, which was in his mobile account, into Tsandukwa's mobile account.

After the robbery, one of the suspects allegedly called a taxi, which drove Manyumbu away from the scene and he reported the matter to the police, leading to the suspects' arrest.