Man in court for robbing US$12.5k, loaded pistol

Michael Mashiri

A Beitbridge man, who stole more than US$12 500 and a pistol with ammunition after manhandling the complainant and his family, has been denied bail.

Brighton Bester Moyo, 24, of Dulibadzimu, Beitbridge appeared at the Harare Magistrates' Courts charged with attempted murder and armed robbery.

The court, through prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti, alleges that on January 5, 2023 at around 1900 hours, Moyo and his accomplices, Brave Zhou, who is now deceased, Tapiwa Mbirimi, who is already in custody and three others only identified as Archford, Simon and Carrington went to Zengeza 4, Chitungwiza, armed with 3 pistols and machetes, intending to rob the complainant.

When they got there, they entered the house through an unlocked door and went to the complainant's two children and the house maid, who were in the spare bedroom.

They ordered them to remain silent, searched them and stole US$30 from complainant's daughter, Prisciledge Mutize, aged 17.

They instructed her to call her mother and lied to her that her little daughter aged three was critically ill and she should come home promptly.

Moyo waylaid the complainant inside his house.

The complainant sent his brother, Cute Mutize, who was nearby to go and attend to the child since he was far from home.

When the brother arrived, he was manhandled by the accused persons.

They assaulted him with machetes while demanding money, resulting in him sustaining deep cuts and fractures on both hands.

He gave in to their demands and he surrendered US$3 500 to them.

Moments later, the complainant arrived together with his wife, Yvette Chinake. As they entered the house, they were manhandled by the accused persons and force-marched them into their bedroom.

The complainant was assaulted with a machete and he sustained a deep cut on the head, his wife was also assaulted with a machete and sustained a deep cut on the hand.

The accused persons demanded money from them, and they were told that the money was in their car which was parked outside the gate.

They then ordered the complainant to open his gun cabinet and they stole 14x 6.35 live rounds.

They later force-marched the complainant to his car, searched it and stole US$12 500 and a 6.35mm Baretta pistol with a magazine loaded with six rounds.