Limpopo Road Terror Gang Member Jailed for 5 Years for Robbery file picture

Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau

A 37-year-old man from Tshabili, believed to be part of a gang terrorising motorists on the Beitbridge to Panda Mine road, has been sentenced to an effective five years in prison for robbing a motorist of goods worth R53,000.

Azwindini Kwinda committed the offence alongside four accomplices who remain at large. The gang would block the road, which runs parallel to the Limpopo River, with large stones—usually at night—and ambush motorists who stopped to clear the path.

Kwinda was convicted on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and robbery when he appeared before Beitbridge Regional Magistrate, Ms Charity Maphosa.

During his arrest, detectives recovered a Makarov pistol loaded with seven live rounds. For the illegal possession of the firearm, Kwinda was fined US$300, with a default sentence of six months in prison.

On the robbery charge, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison, of which four years were suspended on condition of good behaviour. A further three years were suspended on condition that he pays restitution to the complainant.

Appearing for the State, Mr Willbrought Muleya told the court that on 9 November last year, at around 4 am, Kwinda and his accomplices barricaded the Beitbridge to Panda Mine road with stones at Mawale Bridge.

The gang lay in ambush nearby, and when the complainant arrived driving a Mazda B2200 carrying various goods, he tried to drive over the rocks. The vehicle developed a fault and came to a halt.

Kwinda and his accomplices emerged from the bush, armed with a Makarov pistol, and fired shots towards the vehicle. The complainant fled into the bush, leaving the gang to loot R5,000 in cash, five television sets, 10 blankets, a mobile phone, and other items—all worth R53,000—before retreating into hiding.

The incident was reported to the police, and later that day, detectives received information about the gang’s hideout. Upon approaching the location, the suspects fled in different directions. Kwinda was apprehended with the help of police dogs. During the arrest, the illegal firearm and the complainant’s mobile phone, valued at R1,600, were recovered. However, the rest of the stolen goods were not retrieved.

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