Four men sentenced in Hwange for robberies, including Catholic Mission attack

ZIMSPHERE 

HWANGE – Four men have been sentenced to 21 years in prison by the Hwange Magistrates' Court for a series of robberies in Hwange and Victoria Falls, according to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

On November 30, 2023, Mehluli Ncube, 38, Rostele Lostin Ncube, 43, Nehemiah Moyo, 46, and Jerry Gonzo broke into St John's Mission. 

They threatened the security guard with a pistol and ordered him to remain silent. One of the accused brandished an okapi knife and pointed it at the guard's abdomen while the others broke into the Priest's house.

The security guard was tied up by two of the accused before they joined their accomplices in the priest's house. 

The priest was then tied up with heavy-duty cables and threatened with stabbing. The robbers took his Huawei cellphone and assaulted him, demanding cash and other valuables. The priest revealed the location of cash in the wardrobe under duress.

The robbers ransacked the house, taking an assortment of goods and cash, which they loaded into their getaway vehicle.

The first and second accused were apprehended by the police on December 2, 2023, during a high-speed car chase along Victoria Falls road. 

Police recovered weapons used in the robberies, the complainants' cellphones, and an assortment of stolen property.

Investigations revealed that the accused were involved in other robberies targeting tour operators in Victoria Falls. The first and second accused were found guilty, while the fourth was acquitted. A warrant of arrest was issued for the third accused.

The convicted men were sentenced to 21 years in prison, with one year suspended.