Moffat Mungazi
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
A MAN who was part of a notorious gang that wreaked havoc in the Zimunya area, just outside Mutare, has been sentenced to 180 years in prison for the brutal crimes.
The gang was responsible for a string of brutal crimes, including the rape of women and a spate of robberies.
Trust Matiashe, along with his accomplices, Amos Nyaira (now deceased) and Arnold Buwu, carried out a string of robberies between 2019 and 2020, stealing cash and goods worth thousands of dollars. They also raped some of the victims.
Matiashe and Buwu were convicted by Mutare regional magistrate, Mrs Phatakile Msipa this week.
Buwu pleaded guilty to multiple charges of rape and robbery.
He was sentenced to 90 years in prison, although some of those years were suspended on the usual conditions.
Matiashe (30), was convicted of 15 counts of robbery and two counts of rape.
He was sentenced to 180 years in prison, with some counts running concurrently, resulting in an effective 80-year jail term.
Additionally, Matiashe is already serving a 22-year sentence for four other armed robbery cases, to which he had earlier pleaded guilty.
The sentence could have been even harsher if had three of the alleged rape victims not declined to return and re-testify after the initial trial magistrate, who had heard their evidence, was promoted to the High Court before completing the case.
He pleaded not guilty to the offences, saying he was being wrongly accused, but was convicted after overwhelming evidence was adduced in court against him.
Prosecutor, Ms Perseverance Masukutu, told the court that the criminals targeted mainly bottle stores and grocery shops armed with guns.
They would fire shots to subdue their victims, gang rape the victims, before stealing money and goods.
“On December 18, 2019, Matiashe and his accomplices, robbed Mr Tendai Chiparaushe cash, groceries and electricals valued at ZW$8 475 after firing a gun towards him. On September 6, 2020, armed with a rifle and machete, they robbed a woman cash and groceries worth ZW$3 499 and nothing was recovered.
“In August 2019 at Gondo Village, they severely assaulted Mr Abisha Gondo, who sustained deep cuts and lost his front teeth. They stole cash and goods valued at ZW$1 600.
“On August 28, 2019, the trio armed with a rifle and machete robbed Mr Arthur Nyakuingwa cellphones and barber shop equipment worth ZW$3 150 and property worth ZW$1 000. On September 28, 2019, Matiashe and Nyaira broke into Mr Paul Mutukwa’s shop at Madziro 2 Business Centre, fired two shots in the air to scare the complainant, and stole goods valued at ZW$545, and nothing was recovered. On August 28, 2019 at a store in Mupudzi, Matiashe and Nyaira, armed with a rifle and machete fired shots outside the bar. They forcibly entered into the bar where they ransacked the room, took US$20, ZW$22 and various groceries,” she said.
Ms Makala said the duo went on to gang rape their victim.
“Nyaira untied the complainant’s hands and ordered her to remove her clothes, before raping her without protection. After he was done, Matiashe also raped the victim. He was putting on a condom. The complainant was medically examined at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital.
“On October 17, 2019 at around 11pm, and at Samupindi Business Centre, Matiashe and Nyaira, covering their faces with woollen masks approached Brenda Patsika and demanded to talk with her, but she resisted. They were armed with a rifle, machete and a hammer.
“Nyaira struck the door of the complainant’s shop with a hammer trying to open it, and the complainant screamed for help, but was ordered to keep quite by Nyaira. Matiashe remained outside on guard with his rifle, while his accomplice entered into the shop. The complainant tried to resist, but Nyaira ordered Matiashe to shoot her. Matiashe fired two gun shots in the air. They took groceries and fired another shot in the air when leaving,” said Ms Makala.
The criminals used the same modus operandi to rob other victims.
Ms Makala said police investigations led to the arrest of the dangerous criminals.
“Investigations were carried out leading to the arrest of Matiashe on May 14, 2020. Matiashe freely and voluntarily made indications on how he and his accomplices committed the offences,” said Ms Makala.
