Highway robber convicted

Beitbridge Bureau Chief

AN armed robber whose gang is targeting motorists along the Beitbridge-Masvingo highway has been thrown behind bars for an effective 10 years for robbing a South African of valuables worth R12 150.

The robber who was identified as Masunda (30) of Number 609 Dulibadzimu pleaded not guilty to four counts of armed robbery when his trial opened recently.

However, the town’s regional magistrate, Mr Owen Tagu, convicted him on the strength of evidence presented by the prosecution.

Mr Tagu slapped Masunda with 12 years in jail, but set aside two years for five years on condition of good behaviour.

Charges against Masunda arose on April 18 this year, at around 3am, when the complainant was travelling from South Africa to Harare along the Masvingo-Beitbridge highway.

His vehicle developed a mechanical fault about 40 km from the border town prompting him to park at a nearby lay-bye.

However, on the same day Masunda was patrolling the area in the company of his two accomplices, Tanaka Jana and Webster Mawere, who are still at large, robbing motorists on lay-byes along the highway.

The three were travelling in a Mazda 323 registration number ABH4994.

They spotted the complainant fixing his car at the lay-bye and accosted him.

Masunda produced a pistol, while Jana and Mawere were armed with iron bars.

They ordered their victim to lie down while they ransacked his vehicle. They stole 10 000 Zambian Kwacha, 75 litres of petrol and clothes all worth R12 150.
published by the Herald 2 December 2010
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