News / National
3 soldiers in court over robbery spree
2 hrs ago |
73 Views
Three members of the Zimbabwe National Army appeared before the Bulawayo Regional Court facing five counts of robbery linked to a violent crime spree in Fort Rixon.
Hamlet Mlotshwa (21), Iphithule Mlotshwa (24) and Hawulezwe Mlotshwa (25) appeared before Regional Magistrate Lungile Ncube last week, where they pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trio, represented by Dominic Moyo of Tashaya Law Chambers, was granted bail of US$100 each.
As part of their bail conditions, the accused were ordered to report to a police station every Friday, avoid interfering with State witnesses and remain at their declared residential addresses until the matter is concluded.
Prosecutor Sehliselo Khumalo told the court that the alleged robbery spree began shortly after midnight on December 24 last year at Claremont Mine Compound.
The court heard that the accused allegedly wore army camouflage uniforms and acted in common purpose while carrying handcuffs, a torch and an electric shocker. They allegedly forced entry into a bedroom hut and stole a cellphone and US$400.
Hours later, at around 3am, the trio allegedly targeted another home within the same compound belonging to artisanal miner Trust Ndlovu. Armed with an axe, knife, handcuffs and an electric shocker, they allegedly kicked open the door, poured water on the victim while demanding cash and fled with an SQ 1000 cellphone.
Prosecutors said the attacks continued into Christmas Day.
At around 2am, the suspects allegedly forced open the bedroom door of Bukhosi Mkandla (28), threatened him with a knife and robbed him of US$350.
Roughly an hour later, the accused allegedly attacked Atlia Nyathi (27) at Claremont business centre, striking him on the head and repeatedly kicking him before stealing US$1,200.
Hamlet Mlotshwa (21), Iphithule Mlotshwa (24) and Hawulezwe Mlotshwa (25) appeared before Regional Magistrate Lungile Ncube last week, where they pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trio, represented by Dominic Moyo of Tashaya Law Chambers, was granted bail of US$100 each.
As part of their bail conditions, the accused were ordered to report to a police station every Friday, avoid interfering with State witnesses and remain at their declared residential addresses until the matter is concluded.
Prosecutor Sehliselo Khumalo told the court that the alleged robbery spree began shortly after midnight on December 24 last year at Claremont Mine Compound.
The court heard that the accused allegedly wore army camouflage uniforms and acted in common purpose while carrying handcuffs, a torch and an electric shocker. They allegedly forced entry into a bedroom hut and stole a cellphone and US$400.
Hours later, at around 3am, the trio allegedly targeted another home within the same compound belonging to artisanal miner Trust Ndlovu. Armed with an axe, knife, handcuffs and an electric shocker, they allegedly kicked open the door, poured water on the victim while demanding cash and fled with an SQ 1000 cellphone.
Prosecutors said the attacks continued into Christmas Day.
At around 2am, the suspects allegedly forced open the bedroom door of Bukhosi Mkandla (28), threatened him with a knife and robbed him of US$350.
Roughly an hour later, the accused allegedly attacked Atlia Nyathi (27) at Claremont business centre, striking him on the head and repeatedly kicking him before stealing US$1,200.
Source - Southern Eye
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
