News / National
Lawyer implicated in robbery case
31 Oct 2023 at 05:32hrs | Views
During the national anti-sanctions event in Dotito on October 25, 2023, well-known Bindura lawyer, Elatone Bonongwe, allegedly organized a gang of eight robbers to assault and rob Engineer Emson Chitsungo from Pfura Rural District Council of US$30,000 in cash and valuables.
Bonongwe (54) from 64 Old Pfura location in Mt Darwin is facing charges alongside his co-accused, including his uncle Musa Gandi (42) from Buhera, Agness Kunaka (41) from Chiweshe, Raby Gwenya (39) from Nyazvidzi, Gutu, and Tafadzwa Obrey Chipashe (35) from Chiweshe. The other four suspects are still at large.
The lawyer, his uncle, and the gang appeared before Bindura magistrate Mrs. Chimangu, facing robbery charges and were remanded in custody until November 13.
Prosecutor Mr. Garudzo Ziyadhuma reminded them that only the High Court could grant bail in robbery cases.
The court heard that on October 5, Bonongwe conspired to rob Eng Chitsungo, enlisting the help of a gang introduced by his uncle.
Armed with an AK47 bayonet and two sharp iron bars, the gang drove to Mt Darwin in a Sienta Redan and met Bonongwe. He showed them Eng Chitsungo's house and then left. The gang entered the house by scaling a precast wall, where they assaulted and demanded cash and valuables, even using a hot iron to burn Eng Chitsungo. They ransacked the house and made off with clothes, electrical appliances, and US$1,600.
However, when the eight individuals were driving towards Harare, they were stopped at a roadblock near Mazowe, and the police requested to search their car. The gang tried to flee, but the Support Unit backup fired four shots, allowing the police to arrest the four who appeared in court. The other four suspects managed to escape.
Following a search, the police recovered some of the stolen property and weapons used in the crime. Accused four implicated Bonongwe during interviews and provided WhatsApp chats and text messages between Bonongwe and his uncle, showing their involvement in planning the robbery.
Recovered property had an estimated value of US$21,000, while the total value of the stolen items was US$30,049.
Bonongwe (54) from 64 Old Pfura location in Mt Darwin is facing charges alongside his co-accused, including his uncle Musa Gandi (42) from Buhera, Agness Kunaka (41) from Chiweshe, Raby Gwenya (39) from Nyazvidzi, Gutu, and Tafadzwa Obrey Chipashe (35) from Chiweshe. The other four suspects are still at large.
The lawyer, his uncle, and the gang appeared before Bindura magistrate Mrs. Chimangu, facing robbery charges and were remanded in custody until November 13.
Prosecutor Mr. Garudzo Ziyadhuma reminded them that only the High Court could grant bail in robbery cases.
Armed with an AK47 bayonet and two sharp iron bars, the gang drove to Mt Darwin in a Sienta Redan and met Bonongwe. He showed them Eng Chitsungo's house and then left. The gang entered the house by scaling a precast wall, where they assaulted and demanded cash and valuables, even using a hot iron to burn Eng Chitsungo. They ransacked the house and made off with clothes, electrical appliances, and US$1,600.
However, when the eight individuals were driving towards Harare, they were stopped at a roadblock near Mazowe, and the police requested to search their car. The gang tried to flee, but the Support Unit backup fired four shots, allowing the police to arrest the four who appeared in court. The other four suspects managed to escape.
Following a search, the police recovered some of the stolen property and weapons used in the crime. Accused four implicated Bonongwe during interviews and provided WhatsApp chats and text messages between Bonongwe and his uncle, showing their involvement in planning the robbery.
Recovered property had an estimated value of US$21,000, while the total value of the stolen items was US$30,049.
Source - The Herald
