'Femme Fatale' and 2 accomplices in Bulawayo armed robbery horror

A suspected love triangle turned criminal gang is facing serious charges after allegedly hijacking an indrive driver, gagging him at gunpoint, and locking him in the boot of his own car in a shocking late-night robbery in Pumula South.

The suspects  -  Clifford Desmond Nare (34), Monalisa Mhlanga (21), and Fikile Ncube (26)  -  appeared before Western Commonage Regional Court magistrate Sibongile Marondedze this week, facing armed robbery charges. They were remanded in custody until May 28.

Prosecutor Milton Moyo told the court the terrifying incident occurred on March 2, 2025, after the trio allegedly used a fake indrive booking to lure driver Orchard Nyawo into a trap near Zion of Judah Church in Pumula South.

Nyawo recounted the ordeal in court:

"I received a call from a woman requesting a lift to Rainbow Towers. When I arrived and called her back, she didn't answer. Suddenly, my window was smashed and three gunmen stormed in."

The attackers reportedly shoved a gun into Nyawo's mouth, tied his hands, removed his shoes, and forced him into the boot of his Honda Fit. The gang allegedly threatened to burn him alive if he resisted.

The stolen vehicle was then used to stage a brazen robbery at D.A. Garage in Nkulumane 12. The robbers pretended to be customers buying fuel before turning on staff and security, fleeing with US$60. In a blunder that would later lead to their capture, they left behind the driver's phone.

Detectives traced the number used to make the fake indrive booking to Monalisa Mhlanga, who had attempted to disguise her identity using a fake Econet address. However, police uncovered her Facebook profile, which linked her to mutual contacts, including a police officer.

"She admitted she was in Pumula South that night and had called an indrive," testified one detective. "She also revealed she was with Fikile Ncube, who offered her a place to wait."

A subsequent raid on Ncube's home yielded a grey tracksuit and black mask matching those seen in CCTV footage from D.A. Garage.

Accused number one, Nare, reportedly confessed during police indications, taking officers to the crime scenes. He later retracted, alleging he was coerced by police harassment.

Detective Dube, who led the investigation, revealed the suspects were part of a larger robbery syndicate. Two other members have since died in related incidents. Police also recovered a silver sword and a pistol linked to the gang.

Despite overwhelming evidence  -  including CCTV footage, phone records, and recovered items  -  the trio has denied any involvement, questioning the reliability of the footage and police procedures.

All eyes are now on the May 28 court date, where detectives are expected to present the full case, including damning video evidence and forensic links, in what could be a decisive moment in one of Bulawayo's most chilling robbery cases of the year.