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Fungai Lupande Harare Bureau
A GUN-TOTING CABS account holder who was allegedly captured on Closed Circuit Television while trying to rob the bank has claimed that he was, in fact, trying to deposit $10,000. Brine Mugota, 41, appeared before Harare magistrate Noel Mupeiwa facing attempted robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm charges.

Mupeiwa remanded him in custody to March 22 when the trial resumes. Redge Motsi, a security guard with Professional Security Company, and deployed at CABS’s Mount Pleasant branch, was injured during the alleged failed robbery. In his defence, Mugota said Motsi noticed his firearm studded on his trousers as he was filling a deposit slip to make a cash deposit of $10,000.

“Motsi rudely advised me to come back on the following day because it was already closing time,” said Mugota. “He seriously provoked me and I shouted back at him. He violently approached me and wrestled the firearm and the bag containing the $10,000 away.

“Whatever I did, was in self-defence.”

The prosecutor Tinashe Kanyemba-Makiya alleged that on January 12 this year at around 3PM, Mugota went to CABS Mount Pleasant branch armed with a pistol. It is alleged that Mugota was carrying a small bag with him and towards closing time started making inquiries about an unidentified dormant account.

He proceeded to the self-service desk just before closing time and started inquiring from Motsi about deposit slips.

Mugota allegedly placed his small bag on top of the desk and slowly started completing a deposit slip while waiting for customers to leave the banking hall.

Thereafter, it is alleged that Mugota reached for his small bag and drew his pistol. He allegedly pointed the firearm at Motsi and ordered him to surrender his service pistol.

Mugota overpowered Motsi and held his firearm by the muzzle while his other hand held the guard by the collar. He allegedly struck the guard seven times in the head with the pistol butt until he became unconscious.

Mugota stormed into the cash vault and pointed the gun at Andrew Jena, ordering him to surrender keys to the safe. Before he could complete the robbery, Mugota allegedly saw another bank employee standing at the main entrance and panicked.

He dashed to pick his small bag from the self-service counter and headed for the main entrance. At the door Mugota realised that the doors were locked and he pointed the gun at staff members threatening to shoot them. The evacuation mode of the main doors was enabled and Mugota fled.

Motsi bled profusely from multiple lacerations in the head. He was rushed to Avenues Hospital. Mugota was arrested on the following day and was found in possession of an unregistered 7.62mm Tokarev pistol. Video footage of Mugota in the bank will be produced in court. He is represented by Rekai Maposa.