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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Police have arrested three notorious armed robbers believed to be part of a gang terrorising residents here, especially taxi drivers, money changers and those residing in the town’s western suburbs. The trio was arrested last Friday evening after a failed attempt to rob a shop at Shule-Shule Business Centre in Dulivhadzimu.

Police recovered two pistols from Sifelani Charumbira (39), Wilson Mukarati (26) and Thokozani Chirikure (39).
The trio was not asked to plead to five counts of armed robbery and theft when they appeared before Beitbridge resident magistrate, Mr Langton Mukwengi, yesterday and were remanded in custody to May 28 for trial.

Prosecuting, Mr Misheck Guwanda said on March 22, the trio approached Ishmael Chinyana (43), who was using his Honda Fit as a pirate taxi, at around 0230hours.

The suspects hired Chinyana from Khalaharai Night club intending to go to White Lodge along Bulawayo road.
He said along the way, they produced two pistols and abducted Chinyana and drove towards a bushy area in Makakavule village, where they tied him to a tree using their shoe laces.

They then drove to Total Service Station in Chinyama’s vehicle (worth $3 500) and approached one of the fuel attendants and two illegal money changers posing as clients seeking to convert bond notes into South African Rand.
Soon after agreeing on an exchange rate, the accused persons produced two pistols and demanded cash.

They then robbed the petrol attendant of $80, two cellphones and $700 from another man and $4 320 and $7 210 from two illegal foreign currency dealers.

Mr Guwanda said after committing the offence, Charumbira and his accomplices drove away along the Bulawayo Road, where they dumped the car.

Chinyama later managed to untie himself and went on to make a report at Makakavule Police Station.
The fuel attendant Edmore Ndou and two money changers Patrick Nyemudzai (39) and Nhamo Charamba (46) made a report at the main police station.

The suspects’ luck ran out on May 12, when they were arrested by police detectives who were acting on a tip off at Shule-Shule business centre.

The police recovered two pistols and Chinyama’s vehicle.