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Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter

For two habitual armed robbers from Harare who terrorised Mutare residents  luck finally ran out when they got arrested and were sentenced 56 years each in prison.

Artwell Machekera and Phinias Bhasera (both aged 29) from Stoneridge Park in Waterfalls, Harare, went on an armed robbery spree in Mutare this year where they would waylay motorists at night and rob them of their vehicles and valuables at gunpoint.

The two were convicted this week of six counts of armed robbery by Mutare regional magistrate, Ms Phathekile Msipa, where they were sentenced to 56 years each after a full trial.

Bhasera, who pleaded not guilty to all the counts, had seven years of his 56 years suspended while Machekera had four years suspended after admitting to some of the counts.

Ms Msipa said the evidence against them was quite overwhelming before convicting the two.

Public Prosecutor, Ms Nomathemba Sayi, said the two were in the habit of terrorising motorists either by pretending to be passengers to get a lift before suddenly pulling out a firearm and a knife and rob them of their vehicles and valuables such as money.

In other instances, they would stand by traffic lights and wait for motorists to slow down or stop before pouncing on them.

In the first count, Ms Sayi told the court that on 28 February 2022 the complainant, Mr Lawson Masiyazi, was driving his Honda Fit motor vehicle along Mutare-Chimanimani highway.

Upon arriving at the Swimming Pool traffic lights, Mr Masiyazi stopped to heed traffic lights before Bhasera, who was standing at the intersection, pulled out a pistol and instructed him to stop.

“The two accused persons jumped into the complainant’s motor vehicle. They ordered him to drive along the same road at gunpoint. Upon reaching Fern Valley turn-off, the accused persons ordered the complainant to pull off the road and he complied,” said Ms Sayi.

The complainant was forcibly removed from his car and had his vehicle taken together with his valuables before he reported the offence.

Police investigations led to the arrest of the two and the complainant’s vehicle and valuables such as driver licence, clothes and laptop worth about US$8 000 were recovered.

On another count, Ms Sayi said on 3 March 2022 around 2030hrs, Mrs Faith Mbiba was with her husband who was driving a Toyota Sienta vehicle from Mutare rural police camp heading for Dangamvura when the husband stopped at Swimming Pool bus stop to pick up passengers.

He picked Machekera and Bhasera who said they were going to Villa Spot in Dangamvura.

Bhasera pulled a pistol and ordered the driver not to turn right into Dangamvura, but proceed along Mutare-Chimanimani Road.

After driving for about 200 metres, they ordered Mr Mbiba to pull off the road and Bhasera took over the driver seat and headed for Fern Valley turn-off where they eventually ordered the complainants to surrender all their money before ejecting them.

A police report was made and investigations led to the arrest of the two and the recovery of the vehicle, national identity cards and passports.

Ms Sayi said three other counts were committed using the same modus operandi.

In other counts, Machekera and Bhasera robbed shop owners around Mutare stealing money and valuables.