Published by the government of Zimbabwe
11 July 2009
Harare — Three suspected carjackers who posed as desperate transport seekers and robbed two motorists of their vehicles and property worth US$8 000, yesterday appeared in court facing robbery charges.
Munyaradzi Brighton Katsande (27), Courage Chingwena (26) and Shepherd Charles Chirwa (22) are being accused of robbing a TM Supermarket employee, Mr Frank Mutemeri and a taxi driver, Mr Pepukai Maturure between June and early this month in the city.
The trio denied the charges before regional magistrate Mr William Bhila when their marathon trial opened.
Outlining the State's case, prosecutor Mr Cuthbert Mukandire said the first incident occurred on June 23 when the three planned to rob Mr Maturure of his Toyota Corolla taxi.
They allegedly approached him at Bakers' Inn's Mbuya Nehanda branch where he was parked and posed as desperate Glen View-bound transport seekers.
It is the State's case that they "hired" Mr Maturure to drive them to Glen View 3.
As they approached Budiriro 3 turn-off along Willowvale Road, they signalled the driver to stop and one of them forcibly took over control of the car.
They drove to a bushy area between Budiriro and Mufakose where they searched Mr Maturure and took his cellphone, a pair of snickers and US$50 before tying him on an electricity pole with a seat belt.
It is the State's case that the gang drove off and later dumped the vehicle along Willowvale Road near Munhenzva Bus Company.
Mr Maturure later managed to untie himself and went to Glen View Police Station to report the matter.
On July 3, it is the State's contention that the three went to Total Service Station along Samora Machel Avenue in the city where they posed as Tynwald-bound travellers.
While they were waving for lifts at the station, it is alleged Mr Frank Mutemeri, who was driving a Mitsubishi Lancer, stopped and offered them a lift as he drove to his home in Tynwald.
Along Kirkman Road near Animal Foundation, the three signalled the driver to stop as if they had reached their destination.
When Mr Mutemeri stopped, it is alleged Chirwa suddenly grabbed him by the neck before forcibly taking away from him a Nokia N95 cellphone.
They tied his hands and legs with a rope before bundling him into the boot of the vehicle.
As they drove, it is alleged Mr Mutemeri managed to free himself and jumped off while the three had parked at a service station in Kuwadzana to buy fuel.
Mr Mutemeri rushed to Kuwadzana Police Station where he reported the case.
The gang drove off and dumped the vehicle eight days later along Chitungwiza Road near Chinhamo area.
Testifying in the trial, the taxi driver Mr Maturure said he had charged the three US$8 for the Glen View 3 trip, but he was shocked to discover that he had assisted dangerous people. He told the court that the gang turned wild after he demanded his payment.
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