Commuter omnibus conductor robs passenger

A COMMUTER omnibus conductor yesterday appeared in court facing allegations of robbery as defined in Section 126 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act after using the commuter omnibus to rob an unsuspecting commuter.

BY STAFF REPORTER

Coster Shangwa (38) of New Marlborough in Harare was remanded in custody to February 3, 2014 when he appeared before Harare magistrate Donald Ndirowei.

Prosecutor Sharon Mashavira alleged that on January 8 this year, Shangwa teamed up with two colleagues — both of whom are still at large — and went to Borrowdale pretending to be a bona fide commuter omnibus crew.

They picked up the complainant who intended to go into the central business district at the corner of Crowhill Road and Borrowdale Road.

After they drove for about 10 metres, the court heard, Shangwa ordered the complainant to close the commuter omnibus’ door and while the passenger was trying to close the door, Shangwa snatched his property and pushed him out of the commuter omnibus.

The accused persons then drove off, leaving the complainant stranded. He made a police report and subsequently identified the accused person, leading to his arrest.