HARARE - A group of commuter minibus drivers and conductors who stole from passengers they had carried have appeared in court.
Norman Kondwane, 32, Shephered Katiyo,22, Joseph Ganyani,18, Russel Mhukayesango, 25, were remanded in custody to April 8 when they appeared before Harare magistrate Tendai Mahwe facing robbery charges.
Prosecutor Sharo Mashavira alleged that on February 6, this year, Tatenda Kwetemu boarded a white Toyota Hiace without registration plates on her way to Celebration Centre and occupied the front passenger seat.
One of the accused ordered her to move to the back seat while the vehicle was moving and told her that the front door was faulty.
When Kwetemu resisted she was grabbed by the throat by one of the accused and pulled to the back seat.
Accused persons searched Kwetemu and allegedly took cash, cellphones, a hand bag and valuables quantified at $575.
Mashavira alleged that on February 9, Kondwane, Katiyo, Ganyani, Mhukayesango proceeded to Warren Park shops and offered transport to Estry Gombingo.
Along the way, one of the accused persons grabbed Gombingo by the neck and forced her to lie down.
Accused persons assaulted the complainant and stole $20 before dropping her and speeding off.
On February 13, this year, Dreda Nyamutowa and Gwinyai Chisikarozvi were picked by accused persons along Chase Road in Harare.
The accused persons switched off lights along the way and started assaulting Nyamutowa and Chisikarozvi.
They stole property valued $340 before dropping accused persons and driving away.
It is the State’s case that on March 6 and 7 this year, accused persons used the same modus operandi and stole property worth more than $1 000 from Byron Chijokwe and Joseph Mavhundura.
Again on March 16, this year, they robbed Portia Hungwe who they picked up at Groombridge shopping centre intending to go to Vainona. They stole cash and valuables worth $120.
On the same day, at around 5pm they offered transport to Laura Mukwete and Linda Dzembe at Warren Park 1.
One of the accused persons produced a knife and started searching Mukwete and Dzembe.
They stole cash, cellphones and hand bags valued at $375 before dropping the complainants and speeding off.
Meanwhile, Given Mahowa, 25, Vincent Mudadi, 22, and Jona Chari also appeared in court facing seven counts of the same charge.
The three reportedly moved in a white Toyota Hiace with blue lines and used the same modus operandi on several occasions, stealing from various people.