News / National
Beitbridge man jailed for armed robbery
7 hrs ago |
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A 24‑year‑old man, Thabiso Ngwenya, has been jailed for armed robbery following a violent attack on a woman in Beitbridge on 11 January 2026.
The court heard that the 40‑year‑old victim was walking alone towards Chicago Bus Terminus at around 4pm when Ngwenya suddenly emerged from the bush and confronted her. He demanded her cellphone, falsely claiming it looked like his.
When the woman refused and secured her phone in her handbag, Ngwenya grabbed the bag. As she resisted, he produced an okapi knife and threatened to stab her, forcing her to surrender her belongings.
Ngwenya fled into the bush with a Nokia A36 cellphone, a Huawei Honor X6 cellphone, ZAR 2 000 and US$300. The total value stolen was ZAR 8 700, and nothing was recovered.
He was later arrested in connection with another robbery in Juta Village, where the victim positively identified him.
Ngwenya was sentenced to 60 months (five years) in prison, with an additional two months suspended on condition of restitution. His effective sentence is five years.
The court noted that the use of weapons to instil fear and rob innocent citizens is a serious offence, and stressed that the justice system will continue to ensure offenders are held accountable to protect communities from lawlessness.
The court heard that the 40‑year‑old victim was walking alone towards Chicago Bus Terminus at around 4pm when Ngwenya suddenly emerged from the bush and confronted her. He demanded her cellphone, falsely claiming it looked like his.
When the woman refused and secured her phone in her handbag, Ngwenya grabbed the bag. As she resisted, he produced an okapi knife and threatened to stab her, forcing her to surrender her belongings.
Ngwenya fled into the bush with a Nokia A36 cellphone, a Huawei Honor X6 cellphone, ZAR 2 000 and US$300. The total value stolen was ZAR 8 700, and nothing was recovered.
He was later arrested in connection with another robbery in Juta Village, where the victim positively identified him.
Ngwenya was sentenced to 60 months (five years) in prison, with an additional two months suspended on condition of restitution. His effective sentence is five years.
The court noted that the use of weapons to instil fear and rob innocent citizens is a serious offence, and stressed that the justice system will continue to ensure offenders are held accountable to protect communities from lawlessness.
Source - Byo24news
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