By Rex Mphisa
A man shot in the stomach during an armed robbery made a chilling recount of events that left him with a bullet still lodged in his body to date.
Adrian Matinga on Friday described how he was shot allegedly by Tendai Mapira whom he saw at close range drawing a black pistol, cocking it and firing at him.
“The bullet went through my hand and the phone I was holding and into my abdomen. The bullet is still lodged there and not easy to remove, according to doctors,” Matinga said maintaining a straight unemotional face.
He said doctors told him it damaged his bladder.
“It was accused number six (Mapira) who shot me. He was close and I saw him because there was a light from our house where I had already arrived. He shot me even after I handed over the bag with money,” he said.
“I previously had never seen him, but I saw him clearly on that night,” he told the court.
“He did not say a word but sprang in front of me drawing a weapon I later saw was a gun. I handed him the bag and asked if he could leave me a little amount,” said Matinga.
The alleged robber Mapira, 45, is together with Tinashe Nkomo, aka Sadamu or Jack, 39, Future Moyo, 35, Decent Mayo, 35, Obey Chiware, 38, Wiseman Muleya, 30, Khumbulani Mabhena, 42, Admire Charumbira, 36 and Ntanganedzeni Muleya, 31 accussed of robbing Matinga
R30 000 carried in a bag.
It happened on April 4, 2025 at the entrance of 146 Dullbadzimu where tha gang lay in wait.
After being shot, he turned only to see a tall second person opening his hands to catch him but managed to slip under his arms and ran for dear life.
He was helped to hospital by people playing pool at another house, Matinga said.
He was transfered to Gwanda from Beitbridge and further referred to Bulawayo where he recuperated after an operation.
Doctors told him to wait until the bullet moves from the delicate position before hey could remove it.
He is one of the 13 people allegedly robbed by the gang which is said to have terrorised Beitbridge from January to August 2025.
Under cross examination from Mapira who claimed to have been in South Africa during the time of the robbery, Matinga said that was a lie.
“That would be a lie. I saw you. You were so close to me. I saw you,” he responded to Mapira who is not represented.
Matinga told lawyer Muchihwande Forbes Sithole of Samp Mlaudzi and Partners appearing for Nkomo that he did not know his client alleged to be the gang leader.
He also told Concillia Maheya of Nyakuedzwa Attorneys of Harare for Charumbira that he did not recognise accused who is Charumbira.
In that terror reign te gang allegedly shot or stabbed some of their victims to induce fear and about thee other people.
The trial was postponed to Januay 15, 2026 for continuation when the State is expected to call more witnesses.
There was heavy security at Beitbridge Regional Court during the five days of the trial which statted Monday.
Prosecutor Willbrought Muleya has so far led five witnesses and expects to call the seventh witness.
Regional Magistrate Charity Maphosa is presiding