The trial of a former soldier who was nabbed while attempting to rob an elderly woman at gun point at her residence in Bulawayo’s Lobengula West suburb has been further postponed.
Ian Sibanda (56), who allegedly committed the offence with an accomplice, Learnmore Kwari, who is still at large, appeared before Bulawayo Provincial Magistrate Shepherd Mjanja on Tuesday.
Sibanda is facing charges of attempted armed robbery and possession of a firearm.
He is being represented by Maqhawe Mpofu of Samp Mlaudzi and Partners.
Magistrate Mjanja ordered that Sibanda’s matter be moved to the regional court, citing that the lower court has no jurisdiction to prosecute armed robbery cases.
Sibanda, who is in custody, will appear at the Bulawayo regional court on November 23 for plea recording.
The court heard that, during the commission of the offence, Sibanda was disarmed and manhandled by his victim’s 24-year-old grandson using a golf club.
State representative, Denmark Chihombe, told the court that Sibanda was arrested while in possession of an unlicensed firearm with one live round of ammunition.
“On November 10, Sibanda and Kwari (who is still at large) proceeded to Lobengula West at the residence of Livia Matshazi at around 6:30PM. The pair went into the house and demanded money,” said Chihombe.
“Sibanda pulled out a pistol from his waist and pointed it at Matshazi. Matshazi’s grandson, Brandon, armed himself with a golf club and used it to hit Sibanda on his armed hand.”
“Once Brandon had unarmed Sibanda,” Chihombe said, “he called out for help from the neighbours who came to their rescue. A pistol with erased serial numbers and a live round of ammunition was recovered.”
