A machete-wielding serial robber from Mutare has been sentenced to five years and six months in jail for robbing two people of cell phones on different occasions.
John Ngwarai (21) of Hobhouse, Mutare appeared before the Mutare Magistrates’ Court facing two counts of robbery.
Ngwarai was initially sentenced to six years imprisonment, of which three months were suspended for five years.
A further three months were suspended on condition of restitution. The court heard that on January 21, 2024, at around 4.30 pm, the complainant, a woman (42) who was in the
company of Tinotenda Tandarike was on her way home when they met Ngwarai who was holding a machete.
She panicked and dropped her cell phone while running away. Ngwarai then picked up the cell phone and walked away towards a mountain near Mutare Farm prison.
The complainant managed to identify the accused and made a police report. The value of the stolen cell phone was US$65 and nothing was recovered.
On the second count, the court heard that on May 23, 2024, Ngwarai met another complainant, along a footpath near Hobhouse, Mutare, and grabbed her by the neck, dragged
her, and demanded that she gives him her Itel A60 cell phone.
The complainant complied and the accused person continued to drag the complainant and the complainant hit him on his private parts to rescue herself.
A police report was made, leading to Ngwara’s arrest. The value of the stolen cellphone is US$90 and nothing was recovered. — Herald
