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Court Reporter
A Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Kudakwashe Jarabini has called for stiffer penalties on criminals robbing passengers along the country’s public roads to stem the crime, which has become rampant in Harare and its satellite towns.
“Cases of robbery in public roads involving the use of commuter omnibuses has become rampant, hence the need for members of the public to be protected by the law,” said Mr Jarabini.

He made the remarks while sentencing one of the three suspected robbers, Shingirai Chindanga (23) who was involved in a string of robberies in the satellite town using a commuter omnibus recently .

Chindanga was jointly charged with Tafadzwa Murape (20) who was acquitted for lack of evidence. The third accomplice identified as Tapiwa is still at large. Chindanga of Glen View 8 in Harare denied five counts of robbery but was convicted after a fully contested trial. Mr Jarabini sentenced him to seven years in prison but set aside two years for five years.

One year was set aside on condition he pays back US$699 to three people Venancio Muungani, Rosa Chitareni and Memory Nhunzvi. Chindanga will serve an effective four years. In sentencing him, Mr Jarabini said that robbery is a serious offence, which calls for a more deterrent sentence.

“From the circumstances of the case, it is apparent that the offences committed were premeditated and well calculated,” said Mr Jarabini.