Three Bulawayo men suspected of armed robbery have been arraigned before the courts for allegedly targeting hitchhikers and robbing them of their valuables.
A court heard Handsome Ncube (23), Innocent Ncube (21) and Joshua Maseko (22) would dump their victims in the middle of nowhere after robbing them of their possessions.
Their fourth accomplice, identified only as Sonnyboy, is reportedly still on the run.
The trio appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Lizwe Jamela facing four counts of armed robbery.
They were not asked to plead to the charges and magistrate Jamela remanded them in custody to February 10.
State representative, Nkathazo Dlodlo told the court that the offences were committed between December 27 last year and January 17, 2020.
“On December 27 last year at around 7 pm, the trio with their accomplice Sonnyboy who is still on the run offered hitch hiker Dzikamai Taruvinga a ride from Hope Fountain to the Central Business District (CBD) in a silver Honda Fit registration number AEQ7232,” said Dlodlo.
“When they reached Burnside, they diverted the route and drove along Cecil Avenue and parked before the intersection with Gwanda Road. They robbed Taruvinga of his satchel which contained US$40, clothes, cell phone, and identity documents before dumping him on the spot.”
Dlodlo continued, “On January 17, the three offered Shepherd Ncube a lift from the CBD to Queenspark. When they reached Baines Primary School in Northend, one of the suspects produced a knife and robbed Shepherd of his cell phone, an identity card, and groceries.”
Dlodlo said they allegedly dumped him along Collen Brander Avenue in Northend.
“Using the same modus operandi, the suspects two more hitchhikers in Pumula and Cowdray park suburb. The three were arrested after police recovered stolen cellphones from third parties. Upon questioning about the parties revealed that Innocent sold them the cell phones.”
