2 South African armed robbers jailed in Zimbabwe

Two South African nationals who robbed a Bulawayo fuel service station of more than US$4 000 at gunpoint have been sentenced to a combined 16 years' imprisonment.

Nonjabulo Wisdom Nyoni (30) and Chrisvision Ncube, both from Johannesburg, were convicted of armed robbery and each sentenced to eight years in prison when they appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube.

The court suspended two years of each sentence for five years on condition that the accused do not commit a similar offence during that period. A further two years were suspended on condition that they pay restitution amounting to US$3 058 and R550 by August 31. This leaves each with an effective four-year jail term.

The firearm used in the commission of the offence was forfeited to the State.

In passing sentence, the magistrate dismissed the accused persons' alibi defence, ruling that the evidence against them was overwhelming.

"Looking at the sequence of events and the time, it is clear that the complainants were not mistaken. The testimony of an independent witness who identified the jackets belonging to you cannot be disputed," said Mr Ncube.
"You both failed to call your witnesses, and a forensic analyst positively identified you from the CCTV footage."

Prosecutor Mr Sehliselo Khumalo submitted that the offence was well planned and involved the use of a firearm, warranting a deterrent custodial sentence.

"Cases of armed robbery are rampant, and this offence was committed during the day, showing that the accused are a danger to society," he said.
"The Government is making efforts to lure investors, but such actions scare investors away. Although they are first offenders, they started at the deep end."

The court heard that on October 4 last year, Nyoni, Ncube and an accomplice identified only as Mduduzi, who is still at large, raided Redan Fuel Service Station at the corner of Plumtree Road and Gladstone Road in Bellevue, Bulawayo.

The trio arrived in a Honda Fit and confronted the station supervisor. One of the accused grabbed him by the neck while pointing a firearm at his head and demanded money. Fearing for his life, the supervisor threw a satchel containing cash onto the ground as instructed.

The assailants then ordered him to lie down before fleeing with US$4 405 and R1 350, threatening to shoot him.

Police were alerted and detectives from the Homicide Section launched investigations that led to the arrest of Nyoni and Ncube. During the operation, officers recovered a pistol, US$1 322 and R770.

Investigations to locate and arrest the third suspect are ongoing.