By Panashe Karidzagundi.
A 19-year-old Beitbridge armed robbery suspect was denied bail and remanded in custody until June 16, 2026, for trial continuation.
Brighton Bradley Ngwenya, of Dulibadzimu suburb, appeared before Magistrate Mbonisi Kaweni on Wednesday this week, facing a robbery charge after allegedly teaming up with two accomplices( Bright Mudau and Tapiwa Gumbochuma) to rob two complainants along the Mashakada-AFM Road on May 27.
Prosecutor Victor Gorejena told the court that, the complainants were walking home at around 11:45 pm when a silver Honda Fit allegedly blocked their path.
Ngwenya, Mudau and Gumbochuma reportedly disembarked from the vehicle armed with knives and ordered the complainants to surrender their valuables.
The three allegedly stole a Samsung A17 cellphone and a Hisense E60 cellphone before fleeing the scene.
The complainants later reported the matter to police.
Two suspects, Mudau and Gumbochuma, were arrested hours after the robbery, while Ngwenya allegedly escaped.
Police later arrested him on June 6 following a tip-off that he was at Mbedzi Shopping Centre.
During investigations, detectives recovered a Samsung A17 cellphone allegedly stolen during the robbery after Ngwenya reportedly led police to his residence.
The second cellphone had earlier been recovered from one of his co-accused.
During bail application investigating officer Detective Constable Kanyanda Nyamayaro opposed Ngwenya’s release, arguing he posed a flight risk and could interfere with witnesses.
Nyamayaro told the court that the accused had allegedly fled from police on two separate occasions, including on the night his accomplices were arrested and during attempts to apprehend him at his residence.
He further told the court that Beitbridge’s proximity to the South African border increased the likelihood Ngwenya absconding through illegal crossing points.
“The accused is facing a serious offence carrying a possible custodial sentence. There is a risk that he may abscond and evade trial,” said Nyamayaro.
Nyamayaro also said Ngwenya could interfere with witnesses who reside in Beitbridge and potentially hinder ongoing investigations.
Under cross-examination by the defence, Nyamayaro said Ngwenya has a fixed residential address and acknowledged that the arrest followed information supplied by co-accused persons.
Defence counsel also raised the issue of Ngwenya’s willingness to surrender his passport to the court should bail be granted.
The defence challenged the state’s assertions that Ngwenya intended to use the recovered cellphone and suggested he had merely been hired as a taxi driver by the co-accused.
However, Nyamayaro said the accused had knowledge of the robbery and played a role in its commission.
In delivering his ruling, Kaweni said, while bail is a constitutional right, it may be denied when the State demonstrates compelling reasons.
The court accepted the State’s concerns regarding Ngwenya’s alleged attempts to evade arrest, the seriousness of the charge, and the risk of abscondment.
Ngwenya was consequently denied bail and remanded in custody to June 16, 2026, for trial continuation.