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Patience Mutsiwi Midlands Reporter
TWO notorious robbers who committed a spate of robberies at gunpoint in Kwekwe, have been sentenced to 84 years in prison.

The duo committed 22 robberies between April and July last year.

Police recovered guns and a vehicle which the two accused were using and these have since been forfeited to the State.

George Magambutsu (36) of Mkoba suburb, Gweru and Irvine Mlingani (29) of Gokwe were jointly charged with Tichaona Marengwa and Learnmore Muzondiwa, both of Kwekwe.

The quartet pleaded not guilty.

At the the close of the State’s case Gweru Regional Magistrate, Mr Morgan Nemadire ruled that there was no evidence linking Marengwa and Muzondiwa to the crimes and therefore acquitted them.

He, however, convicted Magambutsu of all the 22 counts and sentenced him to 60 years in prison.

He suspended 12 years on condition that Magambutsu restitutes $6 300 to some of his victims.

A further 10 years of his sentence were suspended on condition of good behaviour.

“His Mark II vehicle, a 303 rifle and a pistol which were used in the commissioning of the crimes are forfeited to the state. The 12 years will be added to 38 years if the accused fails to pay restitution,” said Mr Nemadire.

Mlingani, Mr Nemadire said, was guilty of only 16 counts of armed robbery.

The magistrate sentenced him to 24 years in prison and suspended three years on condition he restitutes his victims $862.

He said when Magambutsu committed some of the crimes, Mlingani was in custody in Kadoma for unlawful entry and theft.

A further five years of Mlingani’s sentence were suspended on condition of good behaviour.

“The three years will be added to his effective prison sentence if the accused fails to restitute the victims,” he said.

Mr Nemadire said the duo exhibited “caveman” behaviour which could not be tolerated in modern civilisation.

Prosecutor, Mr Andrew Marimo said between April and July last year Magambutsu and Mlingani using a Toyota Marck 2 as their getaway vehicle, a 303 rifle and a pistol, robbed people in and around Kwekwe city of cash and other valuables.

The duo Mr Marimo said, robbed people of valuables such as cellphones, gold and cash at gunpoint before their arrest on July 23.

“On July 23, the police received information which led to the arrest of the accused persons. On July 24, Magambutsu led the police to the recovery of the 303 rifle, the pistol, a shot gun and voluntarily led the police to the scenes of crime,” said Mr Marimo.