By Rex Mphisa
NINE suspected armed robbers allegedly cashed in US$76k, R532k, 66 RG cigarettes and 16 cellphones in an armed robbery spree that rocked Beitbridge from January to August 2025.
In that terror reign Tinashe Nkomo, aka Sadamu or Jack, 39, Future Moyo, 35, Decent Mayo, 35, Obey Chiware, 38, Wiseman Muleya, 30, Tendai Mapira, 45, Khumbulani Mabhena, 42, Admire Charumbira, 36 and Ntanganedzeni Muleya, 31 allegedly shot or stabbed some of their victims to induce fear.
They totalled 13 armed robberies.
The nine are currently appearing before the Beitbridge Regional Court where regional magistrate Charity Maphosa is presiding.
It is alleged the nine, acting in common purpose, on August 13, 2025 at 460 Dulibadzimu, Beitbridge, unlawfully and Intentionally were violent, one of them pointing a pistol to Vengai Chikati threatening to shoot him.
They allegedly subdued him to surrender ZAR 2000-00, US$1200-00, black Samsung A05 cellphone, blue Nokia Cellphone, black sling bag containing Econet airtime recharge vouchers and Netone airtime recharge vouchers of some undisclosed value.
On a second count, in pretty much the same style, the nine on August 20, 2025 at 5015 Dulibadzimu, Beitbridge they allegedly used violence to rob Dzidzai Zidanda.
After allegedly threatening to shoot him after firing their gun in the air, they seized ZAR 80 000-00, US$1 000-00, Samsung S23 cellphone, black Samsung A04 cellphone, a tablet pacetbell cellphone and car keys.
On their third count, on July 9, 2025, in the same modus operandi the nine stripped Aleck Takaendesa and took cash ZAR 75 000-00, US$2 500-00, Samsung A24 cellphone and black Nokia cellphone in the street.
This was near 2124 Dulivhadzimu.
On April 6, 2025 at Haif Mile Bar behind Beitbridge Chicken Inn the nine in their alleged fashion robbed Zakeo Marange and took cash US$71 120-00.
Unrelenting in their violent business, earlier, on April 4, 2025, the gang of nine allegedly went to 146 Dullbadzimu, to induce submission from Adrian Matumba and took a black small bag containing cash ZAR 30 000-00.
Their count six was on incidents on July 16, 2025 at 9518 Kwalu (SDP) where the nine allegedly attacked Netsai Nhumbe took ZAR 19 000-00, a silver Vivo 30 cellphone, IQ7 Pro Cellphone and 4 pairs of shoes.
On July,16, 2025 at 9518 Kwalu (SDP), Beitbridge Bridget Gwatidzo was allegedly threatened by the nine who said they would shoot her before forcibly taking a paltry ZAR 100-00, US$10-00, Huawei Prime Y7 and Itel cellphone completing Count 7.
They fired twice in the air, it is alleged.
For their Count 8, the nine, acting in concert on January 30, 2025 on the road to Shashi near Tuli Coal Mine, they allegedly stripped Mushinyi Govheni of his 66 boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes.
They had allegedly threatened to shoot him.
In Count 9, on August 11, 2025 at Mashavire Buinesss Centre, Beitbridge allegedly robbed Never Semwayo and took cash US$300-00, Buddie and Netone recharge vouchers worth US$500-00.
They were to do the same on August 11, 2025 at Tshitaudze (Mashavire) Buinesss Centre where, Sydney Zikali lost cash US$360-00, ZAR250-00, Buddie and Netone recharge vouchers worth US$30-00, black Nokia cellphone and black smart itel cellphone in a robbery.
The nine on July 2025 and at Mount View Special Bar, Mudau Business Centre, struck James Mudiwa with a beer bottle and Produced an Okapi knife to induce him surrender R 9 000-00.
For Count 9 the nine on July 2025 at 2868 Dulibadzimu, they allegedly attacked Moses Donjo with a pistol and took cash ZAR 15 000-00, Samsung A24 cellphone and Sumsung A05 cellphone.
In their 13th and last Count on August 15, 2025 at 10548 Kwalu (SDP) robbed Tatenda Musabayana, taking their largest amount in a hit totaling ZAR 302 000-00, green Samsung Galaxy A34 5G cellphone, Huawei cellphone, cross bag, handbag, shoes and a diary.
Wilbrought Muleya is prosecuting and the trial continues on Thursday.