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Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A 26-YEAR-OLD serial robber from Plumtree who robbed two women has been sentenced to a combined seven years in prison by two local magistrates.Mcebisi Ndlovu who is from Dingumuzi area broke into the house of 81-year-old Jane Moyo in the middle of the night together with an accomplice, Gracious Ndebele, 25.

The two men stole money and other valuables from the old woman.

Ndlovu was convicted yesterday of two counts of robbery by Plumtree magistrate, Livard Philemon.

In the second incident, Ndlovu attacked 27-year-old Nobukhosi Dube while she was at her homestead in the middle of the night.

He strangled her and then stabbed her with an okapi knife before stealing her cellphone.

For the first charge Philemon sentenced Ndlovu to three years imprisonment of which one year was suspended on condition of good behaviour. His accomplice, Ndebele, was sentenced to three years of which a year was suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within a period of five years.

In the second robbery incident, Ndlovu was sentenced to four years imprisonment. A year was suspended for good behaviour.

Prosecuting, Jane Phiri said Ndlovu and his accomplice broke into the old woman’s bedroom hut while she was asleep around 11PM and terrorised her demanding money.

She said when Moyo did not comply with the demands, Ndlovu threatened to beat her up with a whip.

“On March 1, Ndebele and Ndlovu forcibly opened the door of the old woman’s bedroom hut while she was sleeping inside. Ndlovu who was holding a whip woke up the old woman and threatened to lash her if she made any noise while his accomplice stood guard at the door.

“Ndlovu demanded money and a solar panel from the complainant who indicated that she didn’t have a solar panel. Ndlovu didn’t believe her and accused the old woman of hiding her property,” said Phiri.

She said Ndlovu began searching the bedroom hut and found a handbag which contained a Samsung cellphone which he took.

Phiri said Ndlovu then ordered the complainant to direct him to her son’s bedroom where he wanted to retrieve some more property.

She said Ndlovu then took four blankets and a suitcase full of various clothing from the second room and fled the scene with his accomplice.

Phiri said the pair stole property valued at $190.

The old woman reported the matter to the police.

In the second attack, prosecutor Clemence Shawarira said Ndlovu robbed Dube while she was at her homestead in Mqegula area in Mangwe.

“On 30 April around 8PM, Ndlovu entered Dube’s homestead where she was alone and attacked her as she got out of her kitchen hut.

“Ndlovu strangled Dube and tripped her. He then stabbed her once below her left breast with an okapi knife before snatching a Samsung cellphone which she was holding. He then fled from the homestead,” said Shawarira.

He said a report was made to the police leading to Ndlovu’s arrest.