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Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Court Reporter

A SECURITY guard who allegedly ganged up with four accomplices still at large and raided a flat in Bulawayo’s central business district before robbing a female occupant of US$18 600 has appeared in court.

Zakhele Ndlovu (36) of Pumula South suburb appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Nomasiko Ndlovu facing charges of armed robbery and possession of stolen property.

He was remanded in custody to January 21.

The accused person was part of a gang of five robbers who were armed with a pistol, an axe and machetes when they pounced on the complainant and got away with the money, three cellphones and a laptop at gunpoint.

They allegedly tied up her hands with a belt, gagged her using her bra and covered her face with a towel before robbing her of her money and valuables. Ndlovu was arrested after he was found in possession of one of the stolen cellphones.

Prosecuting, Mr Nkathazo Dlodlo said on the night of November 30, the complainant was asleep in her bedroom when she was awakened by the sound of the door being opened.

She was confronted by five armed robbers, three of whom were armed with machetes, one with an axe and the other one was holding a pistol. “Ndlovu and his accomplices tied the complainant’s hands with a belt of her dress, gagged her using her bra and covered her face with a towel,” said Mr Dlodlo.

The court heard that the accused person and his accomplices ransacked the bedroom and found a cash box which was hidden under the bed.  The gang allegedly destroyed it and stole US$18 600.

On their way out, Ndlovu and his accomplices took the woman’s Mobicell cellphone, Samsung S8, an iPhone XS Max and an Asus laptop and fled.

On December 5, police received a tip off that Ndlovu was in possession of the stolen Mobicell cellphone. They tracked him down and found him at his workplace in Suburbs. 

He was in possession of the stolen cellphone, which the complainant managed to positively identify leading to his arrest.

The total value stolen is US$20 350 and only US$50 worth of goods was recovered.-@mashnets