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Mgcini Ndlovu

Nyaradzo Bakari, Chronicle Reporter
THE trial of three suspected armed robbers alleged to have been behind a series of robberies targeting illegal forex dealers in Bulawayo has begun.

Mthokozisi Ncube (22) from Entumbane suburb, Mgcini Ndlovu (22) and Prince Mkhokheli Ncube (33) both from Emganwini suburb appeared before Bulawayo regional court magistrate Mrs Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze facing five counts of robbery and two counts of theft.

They pleaded not guilty to all the seven counts. The two counts of theft were withdrawn as the State did not have enough evidence against the trio.

The magistrate remanded the matter to next Thursday for continuation of trial.

One of the complainants, Ms Svorai Mashungu, said the trio approached her at her house carrying a gun which they used to shoot at her car window after she locked herself inside.

Mthokozisi Ncube

“I got home at around 7.20PM and my maid opened the gate for me. As she was closing it, three men in masks entered the gate and one of them held her while the other two came to my car. One came to my window while the other went to the front passenger’s window. I had locked the doors so one of them shot at my window and used the butt of the gun to hit it,” she said.

“When the window shattered, the glasses scattered and some went to their faces. They removed their masks, that’s when I saw their faces.”

Prosecuting, Miss Concilia Ncube said the trio robbed five complainants of US$4 750, R13 220, $8 400 bond notes, P1 050 and four cellphones between July 2017 and January this year.

Mkhokheli Prince Ncube

She said the total value of the stolen property was $8 400 bond notes, R13 920, P1 050 and US$5 185 and only $90 was recovered.

In January, the trio was raided by undercover police officers in a drama-filled incident in Emganwini suburb in connection to the robberies. — @NyarieBakie