Masvingo footpath robbers jailed

Masvingo (Masvingo Star-New Ziana) – Two men that waylaid and robbed a young woman of her handbag and phone in a bush area near Ndarama High School have been jailed for nine months by a local magistrate.

Moses Zireva, (24), from Matova Village, Chief Zimuto, Masvingo, and Romeo Tinarwo, (21) of 1453 Maroro Street, Mucheke A, Masvingo, pleaded guilty to robbery when they appeared before Masvingo magistrate Candice Kasere who slapped them with 12 months imprisonment.

Zireva and Tinarwo are, however, going to serve an effective nine months in prison each after magistrate Kasere conditionally suspended three months of each of the men’s sentences for five years.

It was the State case that on September 21 around 6 pm, the complainant Polite Mandiyambira, (20), of R340 Zimuto Street, Mucheke, Masvingo, was walking along a footpath that passes through a bush area near Ndarama High School, Mucheke, Masvingo.

She had a red handbag containing a red wallet with $20, national identity card and a black Samsung Galaxy phone.

Zireva approached Mandiyambira from the opposite direction, blocked her way and demanded that she hands over the handbag and phone to him but she refused.

Tinarwo then approached Mandiyambira from behind, strangled and tripped her to the ground, enabling Zireva to snatch the bag. The two then disappeared into the bush.

As she was being attacked, Mandiyambira screamed for help and three unknown men rushed to her aid, but found Zireva and Tinarwo gone. They searched the surrounding area but could not locate the two robbers.

Mandiyambira proceeded to Chikato Police Station where she made a report and a police officer with the dog section was deployed and took Mandiyambira back to the scene of the robbery to investigate.

With the assistance of a police dog, the police officer managed to track Zireva and Tinarwo who took to their heels in different directions on seeing the police officer. The officer gave chase and managed to apprehend Zireva, leading to the recovery of Mandiyambira’s handbag and wallet.

Zireva then led the police to his place where Tinarwo was apprehended, and Mandiyambira positively identified the two men.

All the stolen property was recovered.

Malvern Mapako appeared for the State.

Masvingo Star-New Ziana