By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Two men have been jailed for an effective 28 years each for a series of armed robberies targeting service stations and lodges in Beitbridge, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has said.
Tapiwa Trymore Moyo (39) and Philmon Bernard Dambawara (34) were convicted by the Beitbridge Regional Magistrates’ Court after terrorising victims with firearms and a machete during robberies committed between April and May 2026.
According to the NPA, the duo carried out the robberies at Redan Service Station, Mother’s Lodge and Cossy Lodge, where they threatened victims using firearms and a machete.
During the robberies, the accused reportedly stole cash in various currencies, mobile phones and other electronic gadgets.
At Mother’s Lodge, they also used pepper spray against their victims.
The suspects were eventually arrested following police investigations and a tip-off received on September 27, 2026.
Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Beitbridge, subsequently tracked the suspects to their hideout in Dulibadzimu, where they were apprehended.
A search conducted following their arrest led to the recovery of two firearms and a machete.
The NPA said the victims later identified the two men during formal police identification parades conducted on September 30, 2026.
Following their conviction on all counts, the court sentenced each offender to a cumulative 36 years in prison. However, eight years of the sentence were suspended on condition that they restitute the complainants to the tune of US$1,759.
As a result, each offender will serve an effective 28-year prison term.