THREE suspected armed robbers have been arraigned before the courts on three counts of robbery at the Adolph Ludigo Roman Catholic Church and Lady Fatima Parish in Pumula South, Bulawayo.
Lucky Sibanda (26), Phathisani Ncube (30) and Bernard Mudimba (30) pleaded not guilty when they appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mathew Mutiro last week.
They were remanded in custody to May 14 this year.
The court heard that on June 5 last year, Sibanda, Ncube and Mudimba armed with machetes, bolt cutters, screw drivers and a pick head axe scaled over the Adolph Ludigo Roman Catholic Church precast wall to gain entry to the church yard.
While inside they allegedly used an unknown object to vandalise burglar bars and the door to Thabiso Clive Sibanda’s house.
They allegedly stole a cellphone, charger and US$270 which was on a table.
The robbers allegedly tied Sibanda’s hands with a shoelace.
On the same day, they went to Crelly Ncube’s house and forcibly entered and stole US$713 and R17 019, a mobile phone and a laptop.
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The total value stolen was US$713 and R17 019. US$500 was recovered.
A month later, on July 4, the three suspected robbers weilding the same arms entered Lady Fatima Parish.
They reportedly cut open a security fence to gain entry to the church yard.
Inside the yard, they forcibly opened Bhekimpilo Tshuma’s screen gate, door and destroyed the alarm system before gaining entry to the house.
The suspected armed robbers allegedly manhandled Tshuma while demanding cash before he showed them a cash box which they took away.
The robbers allegedly demanded more cash while assaulting Tshuma with open palms.
They reportedly ransacked the room and took another cash box which was under a bed.
The court heard that the suspected robbers force-marched Tshuma to a office where they searched for money but could not find anything before fleeing from the scene.
The total value stolen was US$4 865, R4 342, BWP188,50, ZWL$14 350. A blue and gray cash box was recovered through indications made to the detectives by the accused persons.
