Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Thupeyo Muleya, thupeyo.muleya@zimpapers.co.zw
A BEITBRIDGE man has been sentenced to an effective five years in prison for robbing a motorist of goods worth R53 000 and illegally possessing a firearm
Azwindini Kwinda (37) is also suspected to be part of a gang that has been terrorising motorists along the Beitbridge-Panda Mine road.
Kwinda was convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm and robbery by Beitbridge regional magistrate Ms Charity Maphosa. He was fined US$300 for illegal possession of a firearm.
The prosecutor, Mr Willbrought Muleya told the court that on November 9, 2023, at around 4 am, Kwinda and four accomplices, who are still at large, barricaded the Beitbridge-Panda Mine road at Mawale Bridge using boulders. The gang laid an ambush in the surrounding bush, targeting motorists.
The complainant, driving a Mazda B2200 loaded with goods attempted to drive over the barricade and his vehicle broke down.
Kwinda and his accomplices, armed with a Makarov pistol, emerged from the bush and fired shots at the vehicle. The motorist fled into a nearby bush.
The gang looted R5 000 in cash, five television sets, ten blankets, a cell phone, and other goods, all valued at R53 000. They then hid the stolen items in the bush.
The robbery was reported to the police, who acted on a tip-off and tracked down Kwinda and his accomplices to their hideout. Kwinda was apprehended with the help of police dogs.
The arrest led to the recovery of the illegal firearm and the complainant’s stolen cell phone.
Police are still pursuing Kwinda’s accomplices. The authorities have urged motorists using the Beitbridge-Panda Mine road to exercise caution and report suspicious activities
mbulelo smpofu
