By Takudziridzwa Nyama
Mutare– Three members of a gang causing a reign of terror in and around Mutare have been arrested facing charges of kidnapping and robbery. The trio was remanded in custody to the 22nd of October 2024 by the Mutare Magistrates’ Court.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), Blessing Chireshe (34), Courage Musamba (24) and Dennis Muchero (24) were driving a green Toyota Corona on a dirt road and ran over an irrigation pipe which belongs to one of the complainant, Learnmore Prosper Chanaiwa (27).
The complainant stopped the accused persons to inquire why they ran over the irrigation pipe.
The accused persons stopped their motor vehicle, grabbed the complainant and forced him into their vehicle.
They hand cuffed the complainant and drove off with him.
They only released him after he paid them USD20.
The following day, the trio, armed with a pistol, pepper spray and a pair of handcuffs approached the second complainant and introduced themselves as police detectives on duty.
The complainant asked the accused persons to produce their police identity cards and one of the accused persons produced a pistol and robbed the complainant of his USD1050.
Police investigations led to the arrest of the accused persons and recovery of the pistol with 7 rounds, pepper spray, a pair of handcuffs and the motor vehicle which was used to commit the crime.