Prosecutors demand harsher sentences for robbers

Source: The Herald – Breaking news.

Peter Matika

PUBLIC prosecutors have called on the Judiciary to implement stiffer sentences for armed robbers, particularly those using dangerous weapons such as machetes.

This follows the sentencing of three men from Bubi district in Matabeleland North province, who unleashed a reign of terror, committing a series of violent crimes that left villagers traumatised.

They have been sentenced to an effective 54 months in prison.

Their conviction has led to calls from public prosecutors for the implementation of harsher penalties in cases involving armed robbers, especially those wielding machetes.

The trio had initially been sentenced to 96 months in jail, but 30 months of their sentence were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour. Another 12 months were suspended on condition they restitute their victims.

Bulawayo magistrate Beverly Madzikatire handed down the sentence to Charles Lunga (30), Limukani Dube (33), and Nyarai Mkandla (32), who pleaded guilty to seven counts of robbery committed during September this year. Ms Madzikatire concurred with the State’s argument that the safety of the public is the central obligation of the criminal courts.

“The accused used machetes to commit robbery and took property from hard-working, suffering citizens. They assaulted the complainants and severely injured them. Therefore, a custodial sentence is befitting for the crime. This will serve as a deterrent to other criminals,” said Madzikatire.

According to the State’s case, as presented by Sehleliso Khumalo, the trio unleashed their reign of terror on September 5, robbing a bottle store in Bubi district.

He stated that the safety of the citizens of the country is not just a need, but a right anchored on the principles of the constitution.

Khumalo emphasised that it is the obligation of the criminal courts to protect every victim of crime. He further noted that the use of machetes is now rampant in society, and there is a need to deter offenders and would-be offenders from using such dangerous weapons.

Due to the severity of the crime, a custodial sentence was deemed appropriate.

He told the court that on September 23, the trio, armed with machetes, a knife and an iron bar, went to Shirazi Bottle Store, where they attacked the owner and workers.

They took US$80, four cellphones, a crate of energy drinks, and a crate of brandy. They then headed to a shop where they randomly attacked people seated outside.

They took a cell phone and a radio speaker. On the same day, around 7 pm, they proceeded to another shop where they beat up patrons and demanded money from the shop owner, who gave them US$1 390 before they left. The following day, they went to a homestead and found the homeowner with his family. They manhandled him and took US$15. After that, they pounced on another home and took US$20.

On September 9, the trio went to another homestead where they demanded cash and were given US$100, a cell phone, three bathing soaps, and 16 packets of Kapenta fish. The victims reported the incidents to the police, leading to their arrest.