Bulawayo man accused of robbing elderly woman appears in court

Lesley Chikudo, chikudolesley@gmail.com
A 55-YEAR-OLD man from Bulawayo’s New Lobengula suburb, who allegedly robbed a 65-year-old woman, was arraigned in court facing charges of robbery. Bernard Phiri appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mrs Lenia Khumalo Moyo, who remanded him in custody until December 17.
Phiri is alleged to have robbed Getrude Ngwenya of US$2 258 and R12 930. He allegedly committed the offence sometime in August 2024.

Prosecuting, Ms Cathrine Kuzu said the offence was committed at around 7pm in the evening when Phiri and his two accomplices, who are still at large, broke into Mrs Ngwenya’s house wearing big black jackets and masks.
“Upon entering Mrs Ngwenya’s house, Phiri and his accomplices were armed with knives. They demanded money from Mrs Ngwenya, alleging that she had received it from club members to keep,” said Ms Kuzu.
Ms Kuzu told the court that Mrs Ngwenya informed Phiri that she had no money with her, and one of his accomplices started to assault her.

“While assaulting her, one of Phiri’s accomplices produced a knife and placed it on Mrs Ngwenya’s neck before strangling her with a rope and threatening to kill her. In fear, Mrs Ngwenya showed Phiri and his accomplices the cash box, which she had hidden in the kitchen under a sack of potatoes,” she said.
The court heard that Phiri and his accomplices got away with US$2 258 and R12 930.

In a separate case, a 33-year-old man from Nkulumane in Bulawayo appeared in court facing charges of robbery. Mehluli Ndlovu appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mrs Lenia Khumalo Moyo, who remanded him in custody until December 17. Ndlovu is alleged to have robbed two people on different occasions.
Ms Kuzu said the offence was committed sometime in October this year at around 9pm when Ndlovu and his two accomplices, who are still at large, intercepted Mr Marvelous David Karimatsenga on his way home.

Ms Kuzu said Ndlovu and his accomplices used a big torch to blind Mr Karimatsenga.
“They also shocked him with an electric shocker and assaulted him with a rubber whip before robbing him of his wallet, bank cards, 32GB memory stick, and cash amounting to US$210,” she said.
The court was told that during the tussle, Mr Karimatsenga managed to remove his cellphone and threw it inside a nearby house. He identified Ndlovu but decided to remain silent. The total value stolen is US$225, and nothing was recovered.