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Lawyer jailed for 20 years for masterminding robbery
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A prominent Bindura lawyer, Elatone Bonongwe, has been sentenced to an effective 15 years in prison after being convicted of masterminding a violent armed robbery that left a Pfura Rural District Council engineer seriously injured.
Pisirayi Kwenda of the High Court sentenced Bonongwe and his accomplices—Musa Gandi, Justin Mwale and Terrence Musingwino—to 20 years' imprisonment each, with five years suspended on condition of good behaviour.
Co-accused Aubrey Chipashu and Agnes Kunaka were each sentenced to 18 years, with five years similarly suspended.
The court heard that the robbery occurred on October 26, 2025, at the Mt Darwin residence of engineer Emson Chitsungo.
Evidence presented showed that Bonongwe orchestrated the attack earlier that month, recruiting his uncle, Gandi, to assemble a team. The group armed themselves with an AK-47 rifle, a bayonet knife and iron bars before travelling to the target location in a Toyota Sienta.
Bonongwe reportedly identified the house before separating from the group, which then scaled a precast wall to gain entry.
During the attack, the gang subjected Chitsungo to a brutal assault, including burning him with a hot iron while demanding cash and valuables. He sustained serious injuries, including a fractured forearm and severe swelling in both feet.
The assailants stole cash, clothing and electronic items valued at approximately US$30 049.
Police later intercepted the suspects at a roadblock in Mazowe as they attempted to flee towards Harare. Officers from the Support Unit fired warning shots after the group tried to escape, leading to the arrest of four suspects at the scene, with others apprehended subsequently.
Some of the stolen property and weapons used in the robbery were recovered from the vehicle, while further investigations uncovered WhatsApp messages linking Bonongwe to the planning of the crime, including instructions to assemble the robbery team.
Property worth about US$21 000 was recovered.
The conviction marks a dramatic fall from grace for Bonongwe, who had previously been regarded as a respected legal practitioner.
Pisirayi Kwenda of the High Court sentenced Bonongwe and his accomplices—Musa Gandi, Justin Mwale and Terrence Musingwino—to 20 years' imprisonment each, with five years suspended on condition of good behaviour.
Co-accused Aubrey Chipashu and Agnes Kunaka were each sentenced to 18 years, with five years similarly suspended.
The court heard that the robbery occurred on October 26, 2025, at the Mt Darwin residence of engineer Emson Chitsungo.
Evidence presented showed that Bonongwe orchestrated the attack earlier that month, recruiting his uncle, Gandi, to assemble a team. The group armed themselves with an AK-47 rifle, a bayonet knife and iron bars before travelling to the target location in a Toyota Sienta.
Bonongwe reportedly identified the house before separating from the group, which then scaled a precast wall to gain entry.
During the attack, the gang subjected Chitsungo to a brutal assault, including burning him with a hot iron while demanding cash and valuables. He sustained serious injuries, including a fractured forearm and severe swelling in both feet.
The assailants stole cash, clothing and electronic items valued at approximately US$30 049.
Police later intercepted the suspects at a roadblock in Mazowe as they attempted to flee towards Harare. Officers from the Support Unit fired warning shots after the group tried to escape, leading to the arrest of four suspects at the scene, with others apprehended subsequently.
Some of the stolen property and weapons used in the robbery were recovered from the vehicle, while further investigations uncovered WhatsApp messages linking Bonongwe to the planning of the crime, including instructions to assemble the robbery team.
Property worth about US$21 000 was recovered.
The conviction marks a dramatic fall from grace for Bonongwe, who had previously been regarded as a respected legal practitioner.
Source - The Herald
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