By Takudziridzwa Nyama
Patricia Mutedzi and Munyaradzi Jonga have been sentenced to eight and ten years in prison for being part of a four man gang that stormed a house, posing as police officers.
The court found them guilty, and sentenced them to a combined 18 years behind bars, while their other alleged accomplices walked free due to lack of evidence.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), states that the duo along with two other accomplices stormed a house, posing as police officers and held an 18 year old student at gunpoint.
The suspects were Armed with a pistol, they cornered the unsuspecting teenager, who was listening to music in her bedroom, and prevented her from calling for help.
The gang force-marched her to her father’s bedroom, ransacking the place until they found a heavy safe containing US$13,000 in cash, polished emeralds, gold scales, wristwatches, and valuable documents.
When she couldn’t provide the key, they forced her to help push the safe outside. One of the robbers subjected the young woman to further humiliation, restraining her with a rope and handcuffs.
Detectives later tracked down Mutedzi and Jonga, arresting them after a dramatic chase that saw them attempting to flee. They were shot in the legs before they were taken into custody.
A stolen revolver loaded with five live rounds was recovered, along with some of the stolen loot. The safe was later found dumped in Epworth Quarry Dam.