In a significant legal outcome, a 23-year-old man from Masvingo, Tinashe Marufu, has been handed a 25-year prison sentence by Masvingo Magistrate Elizabeth Hanzi for his involvement in 17 counts of armed robbery and robbery.
Marufu, a resident of Shumba Street in Mucheke, was convicted on Monday by Magistrate Hanzi, who initially sentenced him to 36 years in prison. However, 10 years were suspended for good behavior, and an additional year was conditionally suspended on the condition that he restitutes his victims.
His co-accused, Jacob Enjoyment Banda, aged 36 and hailing from Gwanda, was sentenced to 21 years in prison. Banda was spared the armed robbery charge but received an additional three years and eight months for seven other robbery counts he committed independently, resulting in an effective prison term of 24 years and eight months.
Banda’s offenses occurred on February 23, 2024, at Simbi Steel Makers’ employee residences, where he stole goods valued at US$290, including work suits, jeans, flash drives, shoe polish, mobile phones, and solar lamps from four employees. Additionally, he was charged with three counts of unlawful entry into their houses.
Marufu and Banda jointly committed the remaining 16 counts of robbery from February 21 to 25, 2024, in various locations, including Victoria Range, Clovely, Zimre Park, and Plot 28, Glentor Farm. During these incidents, they stole goods valued at over US$5,000, including mobile phones, laptops, cash, clothes, and electronic accessories.
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The prosecution, led by Godknows Mugondo, detailed the acts of terror committed by the convicts, highlighting a particularly egregious incident on February 21, 2024, when seven counts of armed robbery and robbery were recorded in Victoria Range.
Among the victims, Dzikamai Martin Kazamula of Victoria Range suffered significant losses, including US$250, two laptops, two Samsung mobile phones, a wallet, shoes, a jacket, and a Wi-Fi router. Similarly, Herbert Mavhere of Zimre Park lost US$173, along with several electronic devices and personal belongings.
Misheck Diza of Victoria Range, as well as Tawanda Muzuva of Zimre Park, also fell victim to the convicts, experiencing substantial losses of valuables.
The sentences handed down serve as a stern warning against criminal activities and reaffirm the commitment of the judicial system to uphold justice and protect the rights of citizens.
