Public menace trio convicted of thirteen counts in high-profile Borrowdale heist
In a landmark ruling today, Harare regional magistrate Mr Ignatio Mhere delivered a resounding blow to criminality by convicting three notorious robbers responsible for a string of brazen robberies in the upscale neighbourhood of Borrowdale.
Musa Taj Abdul, Charles Lundu, and Sean Andile Dhlamini were found guilty on all thirteen counts brought against them, marking a significant victory for the prosecution and a step towards justice for the victims.
The high-stakes trial, which gripped the nation, concluded with Prosecutor Mr Kelvin Munyimi successfully establishing that the trio, armed with a terrifying arsenal including firearms, a hammer, and iron bars, mercilessly targeted innocent members of the public.
In one harrowing incident that took place in July 2020, the criminals subjected Lyle Leonard Wilson to immediate violence threats before making off with his cash amounting to US$1,656 and four cell phones. The stolen items included luxury goods such as perfumes from renowned brands, a PlayStation 4, an HP Notebook laptop, and other valuables. The court documents detailed how the robbers callously deprived Wilson of his rightful possessions, causing lasting harm to the victim.
Furthermore, the court heard that the audacious trio struck again on July 25, 2020, at the Trauma Centre located at number 1 Borrowdale Lane, where they targeted twelve additional individuals. Armed with their menacing paraphernalia, the offenders callously robbed cell phones and laptops from these unsuspecting victims. Among those affected were Todoka Wilbert, Simon Machemedze, Jerifanos Fana, Faith Chatikobo, Stewart Vengayi, Pamela Isaac, Juliana Tsikidzi, Elita Sakala, Grace Manjengwa, Dorcas Ephraim, and Cheryl Masvosva. The cumulative value of the stolen goods was estimated at a staggering US$3,475.
Musa Taj Abdul, the ringleader of the group, is no stranger to the judicial system, having previously been convicted for illegal possession of a firearm. He is currently serving a four-year sentence, which adds to the gravity of his crimes and serves as a testament to his dangerous criminal history.
The verdict has brought a sense of relief to the victims and the wider public, who have been living in fear following the wave of robberies orchestrated by this audacious trio. Harare regional magistrate Mr Ignatio Mhere has scheduled the sentencing for January 5, 2024, providing an opportunity for the court to deliberate on the appropriate punishment for their heinous actions.
The successful prosecution of Musa Taj Abdul, Charles Lundu, and Sean Andile Dhlamini sends a strong message that crime will not be tolerated in Zimbabwe. As the nation awaits the sentencing hearing, there is hope that justice will be served, bringing closure to the victims and reinforcing the belief that law and order prevail in our society.
