Harare, (New Ziana) – The Bindura Magistrates’ Court has sentenced a 34-year-old man to 60 years imprisonment for a spate of violent crimes, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) has reported.
In a statement, the NPAZ said Wiskey Tennis was involved in violent crimes of robbery and unlawful entry around Mashonaland Central province.
They included theft of cash, electronic and household goods, using a pistol and wooden stick as he targeted homes and businesses threatening victims to relinquish their possessions.
In June 2024, Tennis invaded a residence in Greenhill, Bindura threatening Lindiwe Kuzondishaya with a pistol and a stick. He robbed her of US$1 600.
On September 21, 2024, he targeted Tafadzwa Ngwenya threatening her with the same weapons and stole US$12 000, a plasma TV, an Hp laptop and a Huawei phone.
He committed more violent crimes in Concession, Chiweshe, Bindura and surrounding areas consistently using violence and fear.
Meanwhile, the NPAZ said in a separate but similar case, a member of an armed robbery gang in Beitbridge, Azwindini Kwinda (37) from Chabili Village, Chief Matibe was sentenced to five years by the Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court for unlawful possession of firearms and robbery.
The State case was that in November last year, Kwinda and his accomplices barricaded the road using big stones intending to rob the complainant.
Upon realizing the ambush, the complainant, who was driving a Mazda B2200, forced the motor vehicle over the rocks and the vehicle developed a problem after driving for a few metres.
Kwinda and his accomplices emerged from the bush armed with a pistol and fired shots towards the vehicle.
The complainant disembarked from the vehicle and hid in the bush. Kwinda’s gang stole ZAR5 000, 2x 55 inch Samsung television, 3 x 32 inch Samsung television sets, 1 x blue itel cellphone, 1 x oraimo power bank and 10 x 2 in 1 blankets from the vehicle.
Kwinda was arrested at a bridge in Matibe, Beitbridge following a tip-off but his accomplices managed to escape.
Similarly, Nyasha Nyahuma (26) of Chegutu will spend the next eight months behind bars for robbery.
He was convicted of robbery by the Chegutu Magistrates’ Court after he violently threatened 18-year old Malvin Munyanyi with a knife and stole his Itel P36 cellphone and headphones last Christmas eve around 7pm.
Nyahuma was in the company of an unknown accomplice when they ambushed Munyanyi in an open space between heroes and ZMDC Suburbs Chegutu.
The duo threatened to stab Munyanyi with a knife, forcing him to surrender his Itel P36 cellphone and headphones.
While one assailant held a knife to Munyanyi’s neck, Nyahuma searched his pockets and took the items.
Later, Munyanyi confronted Nyahuma at his residence leading to the partial recovery of the stolen headphones.
The court sentenced Nyahuma to 12 months imprisonment but conditionally suspended four months of the jail term on condition he compensates Munyanyi.
New Ziana