THREE Epworth robbers who attacked a Greendale couple and stole valuables worth over $15 000 in April this year were yesterday slapped with an effective 12–year prison sentence each by Harare regional magistrate Fadzai Mtombeni.
PHILLIP CHIDAVAENZI
The trio, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, were convicted after a full trial.
In passing sentence, magistrate Mtombeni considered that the three — Peter Madyora (27), Passmore Kaitano (32) and Shepherd Nyandoro (31) — were able to make an honest living and that they benefited from the proceeds of the crime.
“What worries the court is also the ages of the accused persons. These are young able-bodied people who can earn an honest life without resorting to crime. Not all that was stolen was recovered, meaning they benefited from the offence,” she said.
The robbers, all of whom were unemployed, stole goods valued at $15 750, but only $6 320 was recovered.
The three committed the offence on April 11 when they went to Mitchell Robert’s house in Greendale at around midnight with the intention to steal.
They entered into Robert’s bedroom, where he was asleep with his partner Casciata Renata.
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The robbers, who were armed with knives and an iron bar, threatened the couple before demanding cash and valuables.
Robert then directed them to his wardrobe from which they took $350 before tying the couple’s hands and legs with telephone cords and belts.
Afterwards, the robbers ransacked the house and stole property before demanding Robert’s car keys.
They loaded their loot into the car and drove away, leaving the couple tied.
Robert, however, managed to untie himself after which he reported the matter to the police.
On May 7, the vehicle was recovered in Chitungwiza where the robbers had abandoned it. On May 11, detectives received information that Madyora was part of the gang and followed him up in Epworth and interviewed him.
Two days later, some of the stolen goods were recovered from various places in Epworth.
Kaitano and Nyandoro were arrested on May 24 after Madyora had implicated them and following their arrest, more property was recovered.
