THREE suspected armed robbers, who raided three Bulawayo supermarkets and a resident at gunpoint robbing them of over $1 700 last year, were on Thursday further locked up in remand prison pending their defence after denying charges at the close of the State’s case. SILAS NKALA STAFF REPORTER
Buzwani Nleya (44), Khumbulani Moyo (49) both of Lobengula West and Ernest Mloyiswa (27) of Emganwini denied the armed robbery charges when they appeared before Bulawayo Regional Court magistrate Trinos Wutawashe.
Wutawashe remanded them to September 5.
Prosecutor Robin Mukura told the court that on August 2 2013, the three, in the company of Mandla Khumalo, still at large, went to Zamani Phiri’s house in Pumula North where they produced a 38 Special Taurus pistol and demanded cash from her.
They fled before she could give them anything after her husband Davila’s car parked outside the gate. Phiri’s wife made a report at the Pumula North Police Station.
The court further heard that on the same day, the suspects went to Flex Steel Superette in Magwegwe at around 7.45pm and forced Tsenolo Nyathi, of Magwegwe West and other employees to lie down after producing a pistol.
They raided and took $800 and R900 from the till and fled.
Using the same modus operandi, the suspects went to TZ Supermarket two days later at around 7.35pm and ordered everyone to lie down before raiding $650 from the till.
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On August 10 at around 7pm, the three allegedly went to Saverite Supermarket in Magwegwe and raided $339,40 from the till.
Acting on a tip-off, police detectives raided Nleya and Moyo’s residences on August 13 at around 4am and arrested them.
The two led the police to the kitchen where they had hidden the pistol and knife they used in committing the robberies.
They further implicated Mloyiswa, leading to his arrest.
The 38 Special Taurus pistol was recovered loaded with four rounds of ammunition.
A total of $1 789,40 and R900 was stolen and nothing was recovered.
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