Serial robbers in court for murder, theft

Michael Mashiri

Two men who were in the habit of allegedly stoning people to steal and led to death of one man have appeared in court.

Tafadzwa Chayambuka, 29, of Mabvuku and Simon Chihungwe, 34, appeared before magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts facing attempted murder and murder charges.

They were denied bail and were ordered to apply at the High Court.

Gofa ordered them to appear in court on November 3.

The State, through prosecutor Pardon Dziva, alleges that on September 22, 2023 at around 2200 hours, the now-deceased Talkmore Vinga, who was employed as a driver at Accuride Technologies, was sent to Norton with 20 litres of diesel using a company car, a white Toyota Hilux to rescue Timothy Shambare, whose Freightliner haulage truck had run out of fuel.

Shambare reportedly refuelled the truck with 10 litres diesel and drove it towards town while Vinga was following behind.

The truck stopped again at the 14km peg along the Harare-Bulawayo road, near Dzivaresekwa turn-off after running out of fuel again.

Vinga reportedly took the remaining 10 litres of fuel and started walking towards the haulage truck.

Along the way, he was approached by Chayambuka and Chihungwe and other two accomplices who are still at large.

One of the accused persons hit him on the head with a stone and he fell down.

He reportedly fell unconscious while the diesel container fell to the ground.

Shambare, who was standing by his truck, saw the accused attacking Vinga and armed himself with spanners and a metal bar before charging towards the accused persons, who fled the scene.

Shambare then phoned his employer, who came to the scene and took Vinga to Sally Mugabe Hospital where he was admitted and they reported an assault case at ZRP Kuwadzana.

Nothing was stolen.

On October 6, 2023, Vinga later passed on in hospital as a result of injuries sustained from the assault.

The State also alleges that on October 8, 2023, at around 2350 hours, the complainant in the matter, Fredy Chigumira left Kuwadzana 6 Shopping Centre, intending to go home driving his white Mercedes Benz ML vehicle.

Chigumira turned into Bulawayo road towards town and briefly pulled off the road.

Immediately after parking the car, Chigumira was allegedly attacked by four accused persons.

One of the accused persons smashed complainant’s right front window, at the same time hitting Chigumira on the head leading to him sustaining deep injuries and bleeding profusely.

Accused demanded cash and valuables and Chigumira surrendered US$1 200 which was in his pocket to one of the accused persons.

One of the accused then took Chigumira’s Samsung S22 phone.

During the robbery, accused person were disturbed by members of the Zimbabwe National Army who had just been dropped off by their bus from work.

The soldiers then chased Chayabuka while one of them remained to give first aid to Chigumira.

They managed to apprehend Chayambuka and took him, together with Chigumira to ZRP Kuwadzana, where a report was made and accused was subsequently arrested while Chigumira was referred to the hospital for treatment.

Chayambuka then assisted the police in locating Chihungwe, leading to his arrest in Epworth.

As result US$1 500 was stolen and nothing was recovered.