A domestic worker and his four alleged accomplices are facing charges of armed robbery after a daring heist at his ex-employer’s residence in Zimbabwe.
The accused persons reportedly walked away with US$32 000, R35 000, and £1500.
Craig Dube, along with Shepherd Ncube, Mbuso Ncube, Selby Nkala, and Bupenyu Ncube, appeared before regional magistrate Mr. Joseph Mabeza to plead not guilty to the charges.
The prosecution, led by Ms. Portia Mashazhu alleges that in the early hours of January 14, 2024, the accused armed themselves with weapons.
They then proceeded to round up the employees, tying their hands and forcing them to lie on their stomachs.
One of the perpetrators remained on guard while the others prepared for the next phase of their plan.
As the sun rose and the unsuspecting couple, Mr. Concern Sibanda and his late wife, Ms. Ruth Sibanda, prepared to leave for church, the accused individuals launched their attack.
Storming into the house, they brandished their firearm and threatened to shoot the victims if they did not comply.
The couple endured physical assault as the robbers demanded access to the safe.
Mr. Sibanda reluctantly led them to the storeroom where the safe was located.
Inside the safe, the accused found a substantial amount of cash, including US$23,000 and R35,000.
Unsatisfied, they demanded to be shown additional safes within the house, leading Mr. Sibanda to another safe where they took US$3,000 and £1,500.
They proceeded to open the complainant’s gun cabinet and stole US$6,000, a .38mm Rossi revolver, eight live rounds, and two smartphones.
To make their escape, they demanded the car keys and made off with Mr. Sibanda’s Toyota Hilux.
Following intensive investigations, the stolen vehicle was discovered abandoned outside a house in the Emganwini suburb of Bulawayo the following day.
The recovery of the stolen revolver from a deceased individual named Gift Sebata led to the arrest of the five men involved in the robbery.
However, despite these developments, the stolen money has yet to be recovered, leaving the victims facing significant financial loss.