A 14-MEMBER gang was arrested this week after robbing a Beatrice woman of more than 215 chickens and cash before assaulting her and damaging her property.
Vimbai Marufu Own Correspondent
The suspects are Tendai Samu(29), Simbarashe Chaitezvi(39), Takundwa Chinyama(28), Tagara Garwe (35), Tatenda Chapeta (25), Davison Chinyama (52), Tapiwa Mutambudzi (36), Taona Mike Make(29), Luckson Mujakachi (70), Naison Chakanyuka (46), Simbarashe Muza (36), Anyway Kodzwa (41) and Michael Mhishi (61).
The accused persons, who are facing two counts of robbery, two counts of assault and malicious damage to property, were on Friday remanded to August 15 on $50 bail each by Chitungwiza magistrate Donald Ndirowei.
The first complainant is Jane Magutakuona (49), who resides at Zanka Farm in Beatrice. The court heard that on July 28 this year at around 2200 hours, the accused persons went to the complainant’s residence using a grey Ford Ranger king cab with registration number ADA 3303.
Upon arrival the accused persons found the complainant and her employees dressing chickens outside her house.
The ordered them to lie facing down threatening to assault anyone who showed any signs of resistance.
Some of the accused went into the house, ransacked her wardrobe and took $130.
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After searching the house the accused persons force-marched her into the house to get her car keys.
Prosecutor Edmund Ndambakuwa told the court that the accused persons searched her car and took $50 which was in her skirt.
The court heard that the accused persons then ordered the complainant and her employees to load all the chickens which included 200 dressed and 15 live chickens.
The accused told the complainant and her employees to lie on the ground and they drove off at a high speed.
The value of stolen property was put at $1 255 and nothing was recovered.
Further allegations are that on July 31 at around 0100 hours, the accused persons teamed up and went to the Mansel Vaviri’s place of residence at Zanka B Farm, Beatrice.
After allegedly gaining entry into the house using an unknown object, the accused started assaulting Vaviri with sticks and open hands before fleeing.
The court heard that after assaulting him, they headed back to Magutakuona’s place, awakened her and started assaulting her with booted feet, open hands, sticks and empty bottles. They allegedly took 40 live chickens which they loaded into their vehicle and then damaged her window panes, wardrobe, smashed the front window screen, rear view mirror and deflated four wheels on her Mercedes Benz C240.
On August 3, police received a tip-off that the accused were going back to the complainant’s farm.
A follow-up was made and the accused persons were intercepted at Ngezi High School turnoff and arrested.
