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3 notorious robbers serving life sentences were sentenced to 12 more years (SEE NAMES)

Harare Magistrate Ms Loice Mukunyadze has sentenced three convicted robbers, Shepherd Chinhara, Kudakwashe Nyashanu and Edison Donza, who are already serving life sentences, to 12 years in prison. The trio were found guilty of robbing Ms Ropafadzo Mukamba and her family in 2020.

The robbers and their accomplice Bigboy Munyari were accused of posing as detectives when they approached Ms Mukamba's house, claiming they were investigating the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (ZIMDEF) case involving Jonathan Moyo (then Minister of Higher Education).

The court heard that the robbers asked to discuss the matter behind closed doors as it was a sensitive matter. Ms Mukamba invited them to her dining room where they promptly handcuffed and blindfolded her, saying that her partner, who was investigating the ZIMDEF case, had arrived.

During their questioning, the robbers asked Ms Mukamba what benefit she had gained from the ZIMDEF deal. She replied that she had received US$20,000 and a Mazda BT50 which was parked in the yard.

Chinhara and Nyashanu then drove away in the two vehicles parked outside, leaving their accomplices behind.

When Ms Mukamba's husband arrived home, he was also asked to sit down and handcuffed. The robbers searched the house and found US$47,000, R15,000, two laptops and two Huawei phones. They then forced the family into Ms Mukamba's unregistered Honda Fit.

The robbers drove towards Beatrice and stopped at Kingston Farm. Around midnight, they tied their victims to the car seats with rope, got out of the vehicle and set it on fire before fleeing.

Mrs Mukamba's husband was able to untie himself and his wife before the car was completely burnt out. Beatrice Police arrived at the scene and found the hull of the burnt-out vehicle.

In her verdict, Ms Mukunyadze stressed the seriousness of the crime, explaining that robbery involves both planning and execution. She stressed that the robbers were not first-time offenders and that the law for robbery provides for a long prison sentence, and does not provide for a fine.

The judge stressed that the court must take into account the fact that the defendants were aware of the consequences of their actions before committing such a heinous act.

The additional 12-year prison sentence imposed on the three convicted robbers is a clear sign that such crimes will not be tolerated in Zimbabwe. The court's decision reflects the seriousness with which robbery is viewed in the country and serves as a deterrent to potential perpetrators.







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