Robbery gone wrong

A Gwanda man who allegedly set out to carry out an armed robbery ended up suffering serious injuries, public embarrassment and a lengthy prison sentence after his plan spectacularly backfired.

Sandile Ngwenya (33) has been sentenced to an effective 10 years in prison following his conviction on two counts of armed robbery by the Gwanda Magistrates' Court.

According to court proceedings, the incident occurred on the night of October 26 last year in Mafuyana, Maphisa.

Ngwenya allegedly armed himself with an AK-SA ARMS AK20 9mm pistol, concealed his identity with a black balaclava and lay in wait near the home of two residents who were returning from Mbeba Business Centre.

At around 10pm, the two men, aged 29 and 32, arrived at their residence unaware that they were being targeted.

Prosecutors said Ngwenya confronted the pair as they approached the back door, pointing the firearm at them and demanding cash and mobile phones before ordering them into the house.

However, the robbery did not go according to plan.

One of the victims managed to move away from the scene while Ngwenya focused his attention on the other. As the suspect attempted to pursue the second victim, the remaining man seized the opportunity to fight back and grabbed his arm.

A struggle ensued, during which Ngwenya allegedly struck the victim on the forehead with the butt of the pistol.

The second victim then returned to assist his colleague, prompting Ngwenya to fire a shot. The bullet struck the man on the forehead, causing injury.

The gunshot alerted nearby residents, who rushed to the scene and intervened.

Instead of escaping with valuables, Ngwenya was overpowered by members of the public before police arrived.

During the confrontation, he sustained a broken right leg and head injuries.

Police recovered the firearm used in the robbery, a magazine containing five live rounds, a black wallet with US$1, a bus ticket and a Samsung Galaxy A03 cellphone.

The court heard that the robbery failed completely, with Ngwenya apprehended at the scene and subsequently arrested.

Following his conviction, the court imposed an effective 10-year prison term.

The case serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of violent crime, with what was intended to be a lucrative robbery ending in injury, arrest and a decade behind bars.