News / National
Cop, soldier jailed 36 years for armed robbery
13 Jun 2024 at 01:57hrs | Views
Police constable Francis Takura, along with soldier Wirimai Nyandoro and their accomplice Shane Nyamhunga, has been sentenced to a total of 36 years in prison for armed robbery. The sentencing was delivered by magistrate Stanford Mambanje in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The trio faced three counts of robbery, with Takura being convicted on all counts while Nyandoro and Nyamhunga were acquitted on the first two counts.
On count one, Takura received a 12-year sentence with 2 years suspended on condition of good behavior and an additional 2 years suspended if he restitutes US$13,650 to the complainant by August 30.
For count two, Takura was sentenced to 12 years, with 2 years suspended on similar conditions and a further reduction of 2 years upon restitution of US$6,767 by the same date.
On count three, all three convicts were sentenced to 12 years each, with 2 years suspended. An additional year was suspended on condition that they restitute US$1,600 by the end of August.
Magistrate Mambanje emphasized that the State presented compelling evidence, including forensic evidence linking the convicts to the crimes through fingerprints.
The robberies included an incident in November 2021 where the trio, armed with an AK-47 assault rifle and a pistol, robbed James Rikonda's home of US$11,550, a wallet, cellphone, and pistol. They later forced Rikonda to accompany them to his workplace where they stole an additional US$10,000.
In another incident in December 2021, they raided the home of retired CID detective Joseph Nemaisa, stealing US$850, a cellphone, laptop, and a shotgun. A shootout ensued when Nemaisa arrived unexpectedly, resulting in the deaths of three accomplices while Takura and Nyandoro managed to escape.
Among the deceased accomplices was Tariro Gora, who was supposed to be on duty with the Zimbabwe National Army's elite commando regiment at the time of the incident. Another accomplice, Charles Chirara, was previously implicated in a major cash-in-transit heist.
The sentencing reflects the severity of the crimes committed by the police constable and his associates, highlighting their involvement in multiple armed robberies and the tragic outcome of their criminal activities.
The trio faced three counts of robbery, with Takura being convicted on all counts while Nyandoro and Nyamhunga were acquitted on the first two counts.
On count one, Takura received a 12-year sentence with 2 years suspended on condition of good behavior and an additional 2 years suspended if he restitutes US$13,650 to the complainant by August 30.
For count two, Takura was sentenced to 12 years, with 2 years suspended on similar conditions and a further reduction of 2 years upon restitution of US$6,767 by the same date.
On count three, all three convicts were sentenced to 12 years each, with 2 years suspended. An additional year was suspended on condition that they restitute US$1,600 by the end of August.
The robberies included an incident in November 2021 where the trio, armed with an AK-47 assault rifle and a pistol, robbed James Rikonda's home of US$11,550, a wallet, cellphone, and pistol. They later forced Rikonda to accompany them to his workplace where they stole an additional US$10,000.
In another incident in December 2021, they raided the home of retired CID detective Joseph Nemaisa, stealing US$850, a cellphone, laptop, and a shotgun. A shootout ensued when Nemaisa arrived unexpectedly, resulting in the deaths of three accomplices while Takura and Nyandoro managed to escape.
Among the deceased accomplices was Tariro Gora, who was supposed to be on duty with the Zimbabwe National Army's elite commando regiment at the time of the incident. Another accomplice, Charles Chirara, was previously implicated in a major cash-in-transit heist.
The sentencing reflects the severity of the crimes committed by the police constable and his associates, highlighting their involvement in multiple armed robberies and the tragic outcome of their criminal activities.
Source - newsday
