The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent
TWO notorious robbers who terrorised unsuspecting travellers at Birchenough Business Centre by pretending to be pirate taxi operators were recently arrested and dragged to court to face robbery charges.
The duo, Tawanda Mhosva (26) of Goromonzi and Godwin Matahwani of Buhera appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mrs Elizabeth Hanzi.
They were not asked to plead and were remanded in custody to yesterday (March 31).
The duo was yet to appear in court by the time of going to print.
Public prosecutor, Mr Edmore Mahlanganise said Mhosva and Matahwani were arrested last week in connection with a spate of robbery cases committed at Birchenough Bridge Business Centre in Buhera.
Their two accomplices, Wilson Nyoreka and Edwin Mazuva, are still at large.
Mr Mahlanganise said the accused persons would offer transport to travellers before robbing them a few kilometers from Birchenough Bridge.
“On March 25, the two accused persons connived with Nyoreka and Mazuva and hatched a plan to rob travellers at Birchenough Bridge Business Centre.
“The suspects used a Honda Fit vehicle and pretended to be pirate taxi operators.
“On the first count, the accused persons arrived at a picking point and lured an unsuspecting traveller, Mr Josphat Mashava of Zimunya, Mutare, and persuaded him to board their vehicle.
“They drove off towards Masvingo and suddenly turned into a dust road on the pretext that they wanted to drop off one of the accomplices at their homestead.
“While on their way, the accused persons produced Okapi knives and threatened to kill Mr Mashava.
“They forcibly took his smartphone, clothes and groceries before vanishing from the scene,” said Mr Mahlanganise.
The value of the stolen goods was $74 000.
Mr Mahlanganise said on the second count, the gang targetted another traveller, Mr Tinashe Perfect Chiadzwa who was coming from Mutare.
“They lured the complainant into their vehicle on the pretex that they were travelling to Masvingo. While on their way, they stopped the car at a bus stop near Birchenough Bridge Business Centre and produced knives. They searched the complainant’s bags and stole a cellphone, a bag full of clothes and his driver’s licence,” he said.
Mr Mhalanganise added that the suspects also robbed Mr Kudzanai Gezi using the same tactic.
“They stole a cellphone and bankcards, among other things, from Mr Gezi.
“Following reports by the complainants, police picked up information that the robbers were hiding at Mafuratidze Shop. Police detectives descended on the shop and arrested the suspects. Property worth $69 000 was recovered,” said Mr Mahlanganise.
