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A six-member gang allegedly invaded a plot in the Upper Rangemore suburb of Bulawayo, assaulted the residents, and stole property worth more than US$1,000.
Benefit Vhudzi from Mbundane, Limukani Khuphe from Upper Rangemore, Isheanesu Nhliziyo, Uyapho Ndlovu from Cowdray Park, Witness Macebo and Brandon Moyo from Lobengula West appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Vivian Moyo facing four charges of armed robbery.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges and were remanded in custody to 16 November for continuation of trial.
During trial, one of the victims Mbongeni Lubombo testified that he woke up to the sound of his family members screaming and alerting everyone to the presence of burglars.
“I woke up after hearing my mother screaming that thieves were in the house. I was able to identify two of the accused persons, Vhudzi and Moyo,” said Lubombo.
Allegations are that on 7 May at around 3am, a gang led by Bigboy, who is still at large, allegedly went to Lubombo’s plot armed with pellet guns and a revolver.
When the gang arrived, they broke the window to the sitting room and entered the house. Lubombo woke up and found the accused persons in the sitting room.
They threatened to shoot Lubombo, so he fled to his bedroom. The gang followed him, assaulted him, and demanded money. They took US$60 and a cell phone.
The other suspects went to Sinethemba Sikgote’s bedroom and stole a Mecer laptop, R1000 and a cellphone and left.
The gang then proceeded to Kagiso Tawu’s bedroom where they threatened him and took a pellet rifle and an iPhone.
Finally, the gang went to Sydney Siziba’s bedroom and took a cell phone before fleeing the scene.
The matter was reported to the police and investigations led to the arrest of the suspects.
The total value of the stolen property was US$1,260 and police recovered a pellet rifle and an iPhone worth US$300.
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