Zimpapers Logo

Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A 24-YEAR-OLD Bulilima man has been jailed for an effective 15 years while his elder brother was slapped with 14 years for robbery and theft.The brothers, Mkhokheli Ncube and Phindeni Ncube (33) of Madlambuzi area under Chief Masendu were convicted on their own plea of guilty to 16 counts of robbery and theft by Plumtree magistrate Mr Gideon Ruvedza.

A total of 12 months each of their sentences were suspended for five years on condition that they do not within the period commit an offence of a similar nature.

The prosecutor, Mr Medica Tshuma, said between 12 May and 16 August, Mkhokheli and Phindeni robbed several business centres in Bulilima District.

The court heard that on 12 May the brothers went to Mbama Business Centre, Madlambuzi area at about 1am where they found a security guard, Mr Solomon Gwayi Moyo who was manning the shops.

They manhandled him and tied him onto a bed and assaulted him with sticks.
They then broke into Kwayedza and Willie stores where they got away with clothes, household appliances and groceries worth $1 780.

Mr Tshuma said on 5 July the brothers went to steal from three stores in Mangubo Business Centre where they left with clothes, household appliances, hardware and groceries worth $5 770.

On 16 July they proceeded to Huwana Business Centre where they continued with their theft spree. They stole groceries worth $166 from Mababu Store.

On 17 July the pair attacked two pupils from Phakama Secondary School at a bushy area while they were on their way to school and got away with their bicycles.

The following day Mkhokheli and Phindeni pounced on two shops at Mafeha Business Centre and stole groceries worth $525.

They proceeded to Mbimba 1 Business Centre on 1 August where they robbed two general dealer stores and two boutique stores of clothes, groceries, electric gadgets and household appliances worth $1 356.

The pair was arrested at their homestead on 2 August after the police were alerted by villagers following reports made by the complainants.

The total value of stolen goods was $9 800.