mbulelo smpofu
Trish Mukwazo, [email protected]
TWO men were brought before the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court on Friday for allegedly robbing a driver of his car, cellphone, and money after posing as passengers in need of transportation to Woodville in Umguza.
Bulisani Moyo (18) from Exchange Village in Inyathi, and Ocean Mpofu (20) of no fixed abode, were both charged with robbery and appeared before regional magistrate, Sibonginkosi Mnkandla.
According to prosecutor, Siphiwe Mhlanga, the incident occurred on November 13 around 9pm when Abinara Moses, the victim, parked his sky blue Honda Fit at Chicken Inn near Tredgold building while waiting for customers.
One of the accused, pretending to be a customer, called Moses and requested to be driven to Woodville suburb from Pick n Pay located along Fort Street and 10th Avenue.
“The duo met the complainant and they drove along Bulawayo-Nkayi Road. Upon reaching Plot 50 in Woodville, one of the accused, who was seated in the back seat, grabbed Mr Moses from behind, produced a knife, and threatened him, causing Mr Moses to lose control of his vehicle, which then plunged into a ditch,” said Mhlanga.
The court heard that the duo stole a Samsung Galaxy A13 cellphone, R500 cash, and US$15 cash from the vehicle.
Mhlanga added that the duo tied Moses’s hands and legs with a cloth before force-marching him to a secluded place where they made him lie on his stomach.
“They got into Mr Moses’s vehicle and drove away. He managed to untie himself and reported the matter to Queens Park police. Investigations led to the arrest of the two accused and the recovery of the stolen motor vehicle and a Samsung A13 cellphone.
The value of the stolen property is US$3 115, but the vehicle and a cellphone valued at US$3 090 were recovered,” said Mhlanga.
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