A 55-year-old man from New Lobengula suburb in Bulawayo, Bernard Phiri, has been charged with r0bbery after allegedly stealing over US$2,000 and a substantial amount of South African rand from a 65-year-old woman, Gertrude Ngwenya.
Phiri appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mrs. Lenia Khumalo Moyo, who decided to remand him in custody until December 17.
The r0bbery reportedly occurred in August 2024, when Phiri, alongside two accomplices who are yet to be apprehended, broke into Mrs. Ngwenya’s home around 7 PM.
According to the prosecutor, Ms. Cathrine Kuzu, the suspects were armed with knives and wore black jackets and masks, heightening the fear of their victim.
They confronted Mrs. Ngwenya, demanding money while accusing her of holding cash from club members for safekeeping.
Initially denying any possession of money, the situation escalated when one accomplice brutally assaulted her, brandishing a knife at her neck.
Mrs. Ngwenya was then restrained with a rope and threatened with death, leaving her terrified for her safety.
Overwhelmed with fear, she ultimately revealed the whereabouts of her cash, which was hidden in a box beneath a sack of potatoes in her kitchen.
After securing the money, the robbers fled the scene, leaving Mrs. Ngwenya traumatized by the horrific experience.
In a related case, another robbery suspect, 33-year-old Mehluli Ndlovu from Nkulumane, also appeared in court facing serious charges.
Ndlovu is accused of robbing two individuals in October 2024, showcasing a troubling trend of violent crime in the area.
The prosecutor disclosed that Ndlovu and his accomplices had targeted Mr. Marvelous David Karimatsenga, approaching him around 9 PM while he was out.
They blinded him with a torch and att_cked him with an electric device, using a rubber whip to inflict further pain.
During this ambush, they pilfered Mr. Karimatsenga’s wallet, bank cards, a 32GB memory stick, and US$210 in cash.
Notably, Mr. Karimatsenga managed to throw his cellphone into a nearby house for safekeeping, demonstrating his quick thinking under pressure.
He later identified Ndlovu, but wisely chose not to confront him during the ordeal.
The total value of stolen items from Mr. Karimatsenga was estimated at US$225, and unfortunately, none of the stolen items have been recovered yet.
