Nineteen-year-old sentenced for robbery and burglary spree in Mutare
In a concerning trend of targeted criminal activities, a 19-year-old man from Sakubva, Mutare, has been sentenced by the Mutare Magistrates’ Court for a series of robberies and unlawful entries.
Munashe Zumba, the accused, was charged alongside his two accomplices, Charles Chabika and Tinashe, who remain at large. The group specifically targeted local shops in their criminal activities.
On March 14th, 2024, the trio struck in the Chikanga area of Mutare. They assaulted a security guard, Eliah Ngonyamo, binding and gagging him before making off with groceries, electronics, and cash valued at $1,300 USD. Authorities were able to recover only $90 USD worth of the stolen goods.
Two weeks later, on March 20th, the group broke into Jonathan Mukanganwa’s shop, stealing various items worth $325 USD. Tragically, none of the stolen property was recovered.
The following week, on March 24th, the accused and his accomplices targeted Auxillia Chavhunduka’s shop, taking groceries and cash worth $58 USD. Once again, the stolen items could not be recovered.
For the robbery charge, Zumba was sentenced to a total of 60 months in prison, with 24 months suspended for 5 years. An additional 12 months were suspended on the condition of restitution. On the unlawful entry conviction, he received a 24-month sentence, with 3 months suspended contingent on restitution.
As the authorities continue their search for Zumba’s accomplices, the community is left to grapple with the aftermath of these incidents. The harsh sentences imposed on the 19-year-old suspect serve as a stark warning, underscoring the gravity of such offenses and the consequences that await those who choose to break the law.
