A 50-year-old suspected armed robber was yesterday hauled to court after he and his accomplices allegedly invaded a house in Gunhill. Happy Matambo was not asked to plead when he appeared before Harare magistrate Ruramai Chitumbura.
It is the state’s case that Matambo and his two accomplices who are on the run went to Lesley Tadyanemhandu’s house in Gunhill armed with a pistol, bolt cutter and metal bar at around 9pm with the intention of robbing her. In pursuant of their plan, the trio jumped over the precast wall and broke into the house where they confronted the lady with masked faces.They threatened to kill Tadyanemhandu ordering her to surrender all her valuables and money.
The trio is alleged to have stolen US$1500, $90 bond, Samsung S8 and J7 cellphones and sale sheets, which were on the couch then fled. Tadyanemhandu ran after them shouting for help and managed to get hold of Matambo. Matambo wrestled the lady and climbed over the electric fence which triggered an alarm which alerted the Safeguard Security reaction team who caught up and apprehended Matambo.
Tadyanemhandu recovered her phones at the scene after they were dropped during the robbers’ escape.
Matambo told the court that he was assaulted by the police and sustained severe injuries prompting Magistrate Chitumbura to order the state led by Sabastian Mutizirwa to investigate the alleged assault.
Matambo was denied bail and the matter was referred to January 16.