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Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
AN ARMED robber who was part of a three-man gang that raided Agribank in Maphisa and got away with just over $36,000 has been jailed for an effective four years. Gift Moyo, 30, of Magwegwe North in Bulawayo, pleaded guilty to armed robbery and possession of a firearm without a certificate before Gwanda Regional Magistrate Joseph Mabeza. The magistrate slapped him with a 12-year jail term, but four years were conditionally suspended, and a further four years was suspended on condition Moyo repays Agribank, Maphisa, amounts of $10,489, R15,557, 36 pounds and 26 Euros.

He was also fined $300 or one month imprisonment for possessing a firearm without a certificate.
In passing the sentence, Mabeza said he had considered that Moyo was a family man who was also a first offender.

“Accused pleaded guilty and did not waste the court’s time. However, you stand convicted of a serious offence which attracts a custodial sentence. The crime was committed in aggravatory circumstances as the three of you were armed. This was a pre-planned offence,” the magistrate said.

“The use of firearms endangers people’s lives. Others may resist and there may be loss of lives.”
The court heard that on September 2 this year, at around 2.20PM, Moyo entered Agribank Maphisa banking hall in the company of his two accomplices Hlanganani Ndlovu and Lavender Moyo who are still at large.

While inside the banking hall, Moyo produced a pistol and pointed it at Mthulisi Ncube, a bank teller and ordered him to open the manager’s office.
Upon entering the office, Moyo pointed the firearm at the manager, Nsimbi, and ordered him and Ncube to enter into the strong room which houses the bank safe.

Moyo ordered Nsimbi to open the safe and load all the money that was in the safe into a bag which Moyo had provided while his two accomplices ransacked the bank till and took all the money which was inside.

After taking all the money, the three armed robbers ordered Nsimbi and the tellers to enter the strong room and closed the door. The three then left the banking hall.
Nsimbi and his staff were rescued by a customer who entered the banking hall and heard them screaming for help.
The money stolen was $31,467, R46,671, 110 pounds, and 80 Euros. Police only recovered $4,321 and R15,280.