Seven armed robbers were recently sentenced to 12 years in prison each by the Harare Magistrates’ Court for a robbery that occurred on November 29, 2022.
The convicted robbers are Paul Makamelo, Kelvin Zimomo, Sign Makamelo, Partially Makamelo, Tonderai Norest Chibvongodze, Christopher Sithole, and Innocent Kasu.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), on November 29, 2022, around 7 AM, the 89-year-old complainant James Abrahams and his wife were in their bedroom when four of the accused individuals forced their way into the room, armed with knives and iron bars.
They demanded money and ransacked the room. When the complainant told them he had no money, one of the accused persons kicked him and ordered him to sit down.
The robbers then used a nylon cable to tie up the complainant and his wife, instructing them to sit on the floor.
Some of the accused persons lifted a safe from the floor and placed it on a chair in the bedroom, while others assaulted the complainant and his wife.
The complainant’s wife was untied and directed to retrieve the safe’s keys from a cupboard, which she handed over to one of the accused.
However, they were unable to open the safe, which contained US$55,000 in cash, gold, and other valuables, and took the entire safe with them.
After locking the complainant and his wife inside the bedroom, the robbers fled the scene.
A police report was filed, leading to the arrest of the accused persons. In total, US$62,415 worth of items were stolen, with US$6,000 recovered.
More: Pindula News