The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura Rusape Correspondent
A HARARE-BASED soldier who allegedly robbed villagers in Rusape of their cellphones after masquerading as a plain-clothed police officer was arrested and charged with robbery.
Trymore Kachini (33) of One Commando Regiment Headquarters allegedly committed the offence with other two accomplices who are still at large.
Kachini was supposed to appear on Monday before Rusape magistrate, Mrs Elizabeth Hanzi, but did not show up. Only his lawyer, Mr Taurai Khupe was in attendance, forcing the court to issue a warrant of arrest against him.
Prosecutor, Mr Tafara Chawatama, told the court that Kachini and his accomplices accused a villager, Friday Phiri of having stolen Government money before forcibly taking his family members’ cellphones.
“On February 4, Kachini and his other accomplices who are still at large went to Proud Phiri’s house in Osborne Village. They woke him up and asked for the whereabouts of Friday Phiri the owner of the homestead.
“Proud went and woke up Friday. Kachini and his accomplices introduced themselves as detectives from CID who wanted to question Friday about a theft case in which he was allegedly involved. Kachini demanded all Friday’s car keys, but he refused to surrender them.
“Kachini produced a pair of handcuffs and ordered Friday, Proud, Prisca Mamvura and Delon Phiri to surrender all their cellphones. He further demanded car keys and registration books of all the cars that were inside Friday Phiri’s yard, but he refused to surrender them.
“Kachini and his accomplices assaulted Friday all over his body. They threatened to shoot him. Delon Phiri grabbed Kachini by the neck and he wrestled him. They all fell to the ground,” said Mr Chawatama.
The other complainants screamed for help and neighbours rushed to the scene.
Kachini’s accomplices fled and jumped into a Honda Fit, Registration Number ADU 9676 and white in colour. They sped off leaving Kachini behind.
The value of the stolen cellphones is $210.
