Nine armed robbers went on a rampage in Ziyabhonga village in Nkayi and raised four homesteads looting property amounting to ZWL$23 000.
The nine allegedly armed themselves with axes, knobkerries and machetes which they used to terrorise the villagers.
The nine who have since been arrested are now facing armed robbery, malicious damage to property, assault, unlawful entry and stocktheft charges.
They are Gift Ndlovu (33), Vusa Moyo (39), Mbongeni Ndlovu (23), Dumisani Ndlovu (37), Prince Sibanda (23), Thabani Mkandla (33), Nicholas Dube (36), Edson Ncube (37) and Lighton Ndlovu (27).
Nkayi Magistrate Talent Phiri did not ask them to plead whne they appeared before him and he remanded them in custody to March 8.
A court heard the assailants, would smash windows and break down doors before assaulting some of their victims.
A couple and an elderly woman from two of the homesteads they attacked managed to flee their homes before they were assaulted.
According to the State, led by Kwanele Ncube the accused persons, committed the offences on January 24, 2021 at around 2AM.
“They went to Zibusiso Moyo’s homestead first. He was sleeping with his wife in their bedroom when the accused broke their window and gained entrance. They continued breaking windows and doors. Some entered, armed with knobkerries and machetes while the others stood guard outside. They assaulted them all over their bodies with the machetes and knobkerries. They then stole a hand wood driller, water pump and a Samsung cellphone all valued at ZWL$3 321,” he said.
Ncube said they then proceeded to Sibonakaliso Khumalo’s homestead where they stole a pair of gumboots and three solar lights valued at ZWL$2 025.
“They proceeded to Dorcas Moyo’s homestead. Moyo managed to flee her hut and hid at a nearby bush. The accused persons tore down her doors and smashed her windows. Total value of damaged property was ZWL$4 131. They then went to her fowl run and stole ten chickens valued at ZWL$4 050,” he said.
“Their next stop was Mthulisi Moyo’s homestead. Moyo had been warned by his neighbor that the accused persons were attacking the village. He peeped outside his window and saw the accused persons approaching his home armed with axes, machetes and knobkerries.
“He fled with his wife and they hid at a nearby bush. The accused persons smashed the windows and doors, gained entry into the house and took a Huwaei cellphone and an axe. They then proceeded to the fowl run where they took four chickens and went away.”
