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Villagers hunt down machete robbers
2 hrs ago |
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Two machete-wielding robbers who staged a violent midnight raid on a Mhondoro family have been jailed after villagers bravely tracked them down and handed them to the police.
Willard Maphosa (25) and Panashe Henry Mzila (23) broke into a Chibuda Village homestead around 2AM on July 13, armed with machetes, stones and logs. They tied up the homeowner with shoelaces, threatened to assault him and his wife, and fled with US$1 700, R1 500, two cellphones, airtime cards worth US$60 and a satchel.
The victim later managed to free himself and raised the alarm. Villagers mobilised, followed the trail to the suspects' getaway vehicle, and cornered the duo before handing them over to police. Officers recovered US$571 and R500 from the stolen property.
The pair appeared before Chegutu Magistrates' Court and were each sentenced to 20 months in prison. Four months were suspended on condition of good behaviour, and another four on condition they restitute their victim, leaving them to serve 12 effective months each.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) commended the community for its role in bringing the culprits to justice.
"Criminals who terrorise citizens will be tracked down and justice will prevail," the NPAZ said in a statement.
Willard Maphosa (25) and Panashe Henry Mzila (23) broke into a Chibuda Village homestead around 2AM on July 13, armed with machetes, stones and logs. They tied up the homeowner with shoelaces, threatened to assault him and his wife, and fled with US$1 700, R1 500, two cellphones, airtime cards worth US$60 and a satchel.
The victim later managed to free himself and raised the alarm. Villagers mobilised, followed the trail to the suspects' getaway vehicle, and cornered the duo before handing them over to police. Officers recovered US$571 and R500 from the stolen property.
The pair appeared before Chegutu Magistrates' Court and were each sentenced to 20 months in prison. Four months were suspended on condition of good behaviour, and another four on condition they restitute their victim, leaving them to serve 12 effective months each.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) commended the community for its role in bringing the culprits to justice.
"Criminals who terrorise citizens will be tracked down and justice will prevail," the NPAZ said in a statement.
Source - Bmetro
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