Two Jailed Over Mushikashika Armed Robbery, And Theft At Trabablas Interchange

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has secured jail sentences in two separate cases of robbery and theft, with offenders jailed for four years and 11 months respectively.

In the first case, the Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court convicted and sentenced Ashton Mulaudzi, 23, to an effective four years in prison for robbery.

The offence was committed on 22 June 2026 at around 1 AM at Shule-Shule in Beitbridge. The victim, an 18-year-old man operating a silver Honda Fit as a pirate taxi (mushikashika), picked up Mulaudzi and his accomplice, James Ndou, who is still on the run.

As the vehicle reached the ZCC Church area at Shule-Shule, the pair ordered the victim to stop.

Mulaudzi’s accomplice produced a pistol and pointed it at the back of the victim’s head, demanding cash.

After the victim revealed that he had ZAR2,000 hidden in the vehicle’s sun visor, the robbers ordered him into the back seat.

The victim managed to flee and flagged down a passing motorist for help. Realising they had been spotted and struggling to drive off because the vehicle had been left in gear, the robbers abandoned the car and fled in different directions.

Mulaudzi was apprehended with the assistance of members of the neighbourhood watch committee, while his accomplice escaped.

The court sentenced Mulaudzi to 10 years’ imprisonment, of which four years were suspended. An additional four years were suspended on condition that he restitutes the complainant ZAR2,000.

In the second case, the Mbare Magistrates’ Court sentenced Delight Robson, 32, of Western Triangle in Highfield, to an effective 11 months in prison after he stole a laptop bag containing electronic gadgets and cash worth US$970.

The theft occurred on the night of 26 June 2026 at Trabablas Interchange. At around 11 PM, the complainant, Kingsley Ramawo, 32, of Rockside, Stoneridge in Waterfalls, had parked his Nissan NV200 while travelling towards Chitungwiza.

As he stepped out of the vehicle, Robson seized the opportunity, opened the passenger door and grabbed a laptop bag containing a Lenovo T460 laptop, a Samsung Galaxy S22, a Samsung Galaxy A07, a 1TB Transcend external hard drive, an Orimon S38 speaker and US$100 cash, before fleeing into the darkness.

Investigations led to the recovery of the Lenovo laptop and one Samsung cellphone, which had already been sold to unsuspecting buyers. The buyers assisted police in tracking down and arresting the offender.

Property worth US$560 was recovered, leaving the complainant with an unrecovered loss of US$410.

Robson was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, with four months suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.

A further three months were suspended on condition that he restitutes US$410 to the complainant through the Clerk of Court.

He will therefore serve an effective 11-month prison term.