Kadoma Duo Jailed 12 Years For “Midnight Machete” Robberies

Two unemployed men from Kadoma have been sentenced to an effective 12 years in prison for a series of violent robberies in Chakari late last year.

The Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Court convicted Ronald Rori, 25, and Japhet Maskati, 25, both of Destiny, Kadoma, on two counts of robbery. One count was committed in aggravating circumstances.

The court heard that the first attack occurred around midnight on 18 November 2025. Armed with machetes, knives and torches, the pair broke into the home of a 28-year-old woman as she slept. They threatened to stab her if she did not hand over valuables. During the ordeal, one of the men struck her on the ankle with a machete. The duo stole US$800 in cash, several mobile phones, a power bank and gold. The total value was US$1,810.

On 3 December 2025, Rori and Maskati, together with an accomplice who remains at large, targeted a gold dealer. Posing as clients, they gained access to the premises before producing a firearm and launching a coordinated assault.

The victim was hit on the forehead with an iron bar. His wife was tied up and suffocated in an attempt to force her to reveal where the cash was hidden. The gang escaped with gold worth more than US$20,000, mobile phones, and a pistol with ammunition.

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