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Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent

TWO armed robbers who are part of a four-man machete-wielding gang that had been terrorising Kwekwe residents by robbing them of cash and valuables have each been sentenced to five years in jail.

John Nyirenda (34) of Mbizo 7 suburb and Munashe Ruvhevhe whose address was not given, were convicted of two counts of armed robbery by Kwekwe regional magistrate Ms Florence Nago.

The robberies were committed in the company of two other accomplices who are still on the run.

The two will each serve an effective 56 months in jail after four months were suspended for five years on the condition of good behaviour. The sentence will run concurrently.

Prosecuting, Ms Ethel Bhumure said on August 28 at around 10pm, Nyirenda and Ruvhevhe together with their two accomplices armed themselves with machetes, catapults, and knives.

They went to Compound 24 Mine just outside Kwekwe where they forcibly broke into the house to gain entry.

While inside, the quartet attacked the complainant, Ms Siphilisiwe Nhliziyo, and demanded cash from her.

“Out of fear, Nhliziyo gave the accused persons US$85 which they took together with her cellphone.

They ransacked the house and took some food items including beer from the fridge before they disappeared,” said Ms Bhumure.

On a different occasion, the four men used the same modus operandi and broke into Trust Chiyangwa’s shop in Mbizo 3 suburb. They ordered Chiyangwa and his wife to lie facing the floor and threatened to kill them if they screamed.

“The accused persons ransacked the shop and took US$66 and $11 700 including the complainants’ cellphones and fled from the scene,” said Ms Bhumure.

A report was made to the police and investigations lead to the arrest of Nyirenda and Ruvhevhe while their two accomplices managed to escape.

All the stolen cellphones including the money were recovered and the complainants managed to positively identify their valuables.