BY HARRIET CHIKANDIWA
Four armed robbers were yesterday sentenced to 18 years in prison each for robbery and masquerading as police officers.
Cephas Ndoori (35), Rodin Gutsa (34), Kelvin Chasakara (26) and George Manyanga (38) will serve an effective 16-year jail term each after Harare magistrate Morgan Nemadire suspended two years on condition of good behaviour.
According to the State, the four robbed Joel Chindabata after posing as police officers investigating a criminal case in which he was allegedly a suspect. Chindabata (52) is a banker.
The court heard that on October 17, they asked Chindabata to meet them in Sunningdale where they claimed they were investigating rape allegations against him. After handcuffing him and bundling him at the back of his vehicle, they produced a gun and demanded cash. Chindabata offered $2 000.
They later dumped him at the corner of Baines Avenue and Seventh Street and drove away in a vehicle which was behind them.
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Chindabata made a report to the police after the robbers kept calling him to demand more money.
Chindabata, who was in the company of the police, saw the convicts’ getaway vehicle parked at a lodge in Waterfalls, leading to their arrest.
The police recovered a pistol and police identity cards which were not in the convicts’ names.