Bulawayo, (New Ziana) An eight-member gang of suspected robbers that is believed to have targeted filling stations in and around Bulawayo between February and November, has been arraigned before the regional Magistrates Courts facing 10 counts of armed robbery.
The suspects, identified as Elvis Charakupa (40) and Khulumani Moyo (51), Mavrick Dube (32), Mongameli Moyo (27), Nkosilomusa Dube (31), Conilias Chigara (24), Mabhena Qhawe (43), and Vumani Msipa (31), were charged with armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms.
Amongst them were two illegal foreign currency dealers. They were not asked to plead when they appeared before Magistrate Joseph Mabeza who remanded them in custody to December 6 and December 9.
Prosecutor Siphiwe Mhlanga told the court that the suspects orchestrated a series of violent robberies, primarily targeting fuel stations and businesses, during which they stole a total of US$5,000 and ZAR120,000. They reportedly shot and injured some victims who resisted their demands during their reign of terror.
“At around 8PM on February 19, three suspects approached a security guard at a fuel station in Mpopoma, Bulawayo. When confronted, they fired three shots, injuring the guard. The victim was rushed to ZRP Western Commonage and later referred to Mpilo Hospital.
“On 22 April, Kelvin North, three robbers armed with a pistol and knives raided a fuel station in Kelvin North and stole US$900 and a cellphone after firing a warning shot and threatening fuel attendants,” Mhlanga told the court.
The court was further told that on November 10, a group of six masked robbers stormed a Kelvin North service station at 8 p.m. They fired shots in the air, ordered staff to lie down, and stole US$600 and a DVR after disabling the CCTV system. One victim sustained a gunshot wound. On November 15, robbers broke into a house in Bradfield, stealing a safe containing passports, a cellphone, and US$50.
On November 20, 2024, information from the public led to the arrest of Elvis Charakupa, who then identified his accomplices. The State said that the police recovered a blue Nissan Note, a silver Toyota Corolla, and an unregistered firearm with a loaded magazine.
New Ziana
