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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
FIVE men have appeared in court for allegedly stealing $800 from a Filabusi gold dealer at gunpoint.

The five men and two others (Agrippa Guti and Patrick Dube) who are still at large met with Mr Joseph Khumalo of Kiosk Compound, Celtic Mine under the pretext of selling him gold and went on to rob him.

Busani Moyo (41) of Nkayi area, Godfrey Kapopo (49) from Marondera, Nozinhle Dube (32) from Filabusi area, Melusi Moyo (42) and Langelihle Mkandla (27) both from Cowdray Park Suburb in Bulawayo pleaded not guilty to armed robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm when they appeared before Gwanda regional magistrate Mr Mark Dzira yesterday.

They were remanded in custody to May 30 for trial.

Prosecuting, Mr Pearson Chekeya said the gang committed the offence on August 20 at around 2PM.

“The gang called Mr Khumalo on his cellphone and told him that they had some gold which they wanted to sell to him. They further explained that they wanted to send the payment from a NetOne line to his NetOne line.

“They went to Mr Khumalo’s house on the same day around 8PM and informed him that they had brought the gold. When he invited them in one of the accused persons produced a silver pistol and threatened to shoot Mr Khumalo,” he said.

Mr Chekeya said they tied his hands before searching him and took $800 and a small radio while one of the accused persons held a gun to his head. He said the gang fled into the darkness.

Mr Chekeya said the matter was reported to the police who tracked down Busani Moyo who was in Bulawayo. He was arrested and implicated his other accomplices leading to their arrest.

Mr Chekeya said Kapopo was found in possession of an unlicensed silver Walter pistol.

He said the stolen money was not recovered. — @DubeMatutu