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ZNA commando robs Roman Catholic priest
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A Zimbabwe National Army soldier attached to the 1 Commando Regiment has been sentenced to an effective four years in prison after robbing a Roman Catholic priest of his cellphone during a violent night-time raid in Headlands.
Learnmore Gwenyaya (31), of 1 Commando Regiment, Block 5, Harare, appeared before Rusape Magistrate Tendai Mahwe facing a robbery charge. He pleaded guilty and was convicted.
The court heard that on December 7, 2025, at around 9pm, Father Kanisious Mashati retired to bed at his residence at Mt Carmel Primary School in Headlands after ensuring that the main entrance and his bedroom door were locked. A domestic worker, Margret Mafeni, had also secured all the windows.
However, at around 1:30am on December 8, Gwenyaya and two accomplices who remain at large allegedly targeted the residence while armed with an iron bar, a shovel and an okapi knife. The trio reportedly wore balaclavas to conceal their identities.
According to court proceedings, the suspects used duplicate keys to gain entry into the house before forcing their way into Father Mashati's bedroom.
The intruders allegedly assaulted the priest with an iron bar and a shovel as he attempted to resist the attack.
During the struggle, Father Mashati fought back by throwing a bottle of wine at the attackers, reportedly injuring Gwenyaya. The priest eventually surrendered after Gwenyaya allegedly produced an okapi knife and threatened to stab him.
The court heard that the attackers searched the room and stole an Itel A70 cellphone before fleeing from the scene.
Their escape was short-lived.
Police officers conducting patrols along the Harare-Mutare Road intercepted the trio near Halfway House at approximately 3:30am. Two of the suspects managed to escape, but Gwenyaya was arrested.
A subsequent search led to the recovery of a live cartridge from his possession. Investigations established that he did not hold a valid firearm certificate authorising possession of the ammunition.
For the robbery conviction, Magistrate Mahwe sentenced Gwenyaya to five years' imprisonment. One year was suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving him with an effective four-year prison term.
On the separate charge relating to unlawful possession of ammunition, Gwenyaya was fined US$300 or, alternatively, four months' imprisonment in default of payment.
The recovered ammunition was forfeited to the State.
Faith Mutukwa prosecuted the matter.
Learnmore Gwenyaya (31), of 1 Commando Regiment, Block 5, Harare, appeared before Rusape Magistrate Tendai Mahwe facing a robbery charge. He pleaded guilty and was convicted.
The court heard that on December 7, 2025, at around 9pm, Father Kanisious Mashati retired to bed at his residence at Mt Carmel Primary School in Headlands after ensuring that the main entrance and his bedroom door were locked. A domestic worker, Margret Mafeni, had also secured all the windows.
However, at around 1:30am on December 8, Gwenyaya and two accomplices who remain at large allegedly targeted the residence while armed with an iron bar, a shovel and an okapi knife. The trio reportedly wore balaclavas to conceal their identities.
According to court proceedings, the suspects used duplicate keys to gain entry into the house before forcing their way into Father Mashati's bedroom.
The intruders allegedly assaulted the priest with an iron bar and a shovel as he attempted to resist the attack.
During the struggle, Father Mashati fought back by throwing a bottle of wine at the attackers, reportedly injuring Gwenyaya. The priest eventually surrendered after Gwenyaya allegedly produced an okapi knife and threatened to stab him.
The court heard that the attackers searched the room and stole an Itel A70 cellphone before fleeing from the scene.
Their escape was short-lived.
Police officers conducting patrols along the Harare-Mutare Road intercepted the trio near Halfway House at approximately 3:30am. Two of the suspects managed to escape, but Gwenyaya was arrested.
A subsequent search led to the recovery of a live cartridge from his possession. Investigations established that he did not hold a valid firearm certificate authorising possession of the ammunition.
For the robbery conviction, Magistrate Mahwe sentenced Gwenyaya to five years' imprisonment. One year was suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving him with an effective four-year prison term.
On the separate charge relating to unlawful possession of ammunition, Gwenyaya was fined US$300 or, alternatively, four months' imprisonment in default of payment.
The recovered ammunition was forfeited to the State.
Faith Mutukwa prosecuted the matter.
Source - Mirror
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