High Court suspiciously grants notorious armed robber bail

A notorious armed robber, Godfrey Josi, who has survived multiple shootouts with CID Homicide officers, has been granted US$100 bail by the High Court. Josi, along with his accomplices Andrew Nyamutowa and Prince Nyamhanza, is facing charges related to a robbery that took place on June 9 this year. The trio is accused of raiding a property in Eastlea, Harare, while armed with pistols and a rifle.

High Court judge, Justice Rogers Manyangadze, granted bail to the trio, despite the serious nature of their alleged crime and Josi's history of violent offences. The court heard that Josi, Nyamutowa, Nyamhanza, and several accomplices who are still at large, entered the complainants' premises and violently manhandled the victims. Using a grinder, they broke open a safe and stole US$10,000, along with other items, including a Webley revolver, before fleeing the scene.

The trio's attempt to evade arrest was unsuccessful, as police were forced to discharge firearms to apprehend them. A CCTV video clip showing Josi at the scene of the crime provided crucial evidence linking the accused to the robbery.

Justice Manyangadze acknowledged the severity of the crime, noting that armed robbery, particularly when firearms are involved, leaves victims deeply traumatised and is a blatant invasion of privacy. However, the judge explained that a prima facie case must be established for bail to be denied, and in this case, the State's opposition to bail lacked sufficient grounds. Consequently, the State conceded, and bail was granted to the accused.

"Society rightly expects protection from the criminal justice system, even at the pre-trial stage," said Justice Manyangadze. "For this to happen, a prima facie case must be established against the accused, but it is not required to be watertight, as a bail inquiry is not a trial."

The judge further emphasized that violent crimes such as armed robbery pose significant risks to life, and while the system must protect society from such offenders, the evidence provided in this case did not justify a denial of bail.

Josi, who is reported to have spent over a decade committing armed robberies, has over 20 pending cases of armed robbery. He was previously acquitted of money laundering charges in 2022, alongside his wife, in a case that led to an investigation by the Judicial Service Commission into the conduct of the presiding magistrate.

The State alleges that Josi committed a series of robberies across Harare between 2017 and June 2021, often using the proceeds of his crimes to purchase various properties. In 2021, he was arrested for robbing a Chinese national at the University of Zimbabwe farm compound, making off with US$60,000.

Despite his violent criminal history, Josi was granted bail, and the trio was released on US$100 bail each. The case continues to draw attention, as many question whether the criminal justice system is adequately equipped to handle such dangerous offenders, especially in light of Josi's long-standing record of armed robberies.