An eight-member gang appeared before the Bulawayo Regional Magistrate’s Court on Monday, facing 10 counts of armed robbery committed in and around Bulawayo between February and November this year.
The suspects, including two illegal foreign currency dealers Elvis Charakupa (40) and Khulumani Moyo (51), Mavrick Dube (32), Mongameli Moyo (27), Nkosilomusa Dube (31), Conilias Chigara (24), Mabhena Qhawe (43), and Vumani Msipa (31), were charged with armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms.
They were not required to plead when they appeared before Magistrate Joseph Mabeza, who remanded them in custody to December 6 and December 9 for the respective charges.
Prosecutor Siphiwe Mhlanga told the court that the suspects carried out a series of violent robberies targeting fuel stations and businesses, stealing a total of US$5,000 and ZAR120,000. Some victims were shot and injured during the robberies.
The gang allegedly shot and injured some of the victims who resisted their demands while carrying out their acts of terror.
At around 8PM on 19 February three suspects approached a security guard at a fuel station in Mpopoma, Bulawayo. When confronted, they fired three shots, injuring the guard. The victim was rushed to ZRP Western Commonage and later referred to Mpilo Hospital.
On 22 April, Kelvin North, three robbers armed with a pistol and knives raided a fuel station in Kelbin North and stole US$900 and a cellphone after firing a warning shot and threatening fuel attendants.
0n 10 November a group of six masked robbers stormed a Kelvin North service station at 8 p.m. They fired shots in the air, ordered staff to lie down, and stole US$600 and a DVR after disabling the CCTV system. One victim sustained a gunshot wound.
On November 15, robbers broke into a house in Bradfield, stealing a safe containing passports, a cellphone, and US$50.
On November 20, 2024, information from the public led to the arrest of Elvis Charakupa, who then identified his accomplices.
The State said that the police recovered a blue Nissan Note, a silver Toyota Corolla, and an unregistered firearm with a loaded magazine.
