Murewa bar operator, drinkers robbed during raid by armed gang
Gang members get 82-year-life sentences for nine counts of robbery
By Auther Chimbgwa
A gang of armed men who stormed a Murewa bar and made off with cash and property after beating up patrons and ransacking the drinking spot, have each been handed 82-year sentences for the crime and several more.
Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri confirmed the harsh sentences handed against Charles Munyaradzi Dhokotera (42), Donald Travolta Mutunhu (28), Mayor Sibanda (34) and Bothwell Kamwendo (40).
Colonel Madzima (24), who was also arrested and charged for the Murewa incident, was freed after being found not guilty.
The armed robbery occurred in April 2025 at Nyamuzara Business Centre in Murewa.
“Armed with rifles, a pistol and button sticks, the quartet invaded a cocktail Bar, threatened patrons and indiscriminately assaulted them, demanding cash and other valuables,” said Muteweri.
“They went on to ransack the bar before proceeding to the shop owner’s residence where they stole various goods and vanished in their getaway car.”
After hearing of the incident, community members mobilised themselves and tracked the four.
When they spotted the gang’s getaway car – a Toyota Aqua on registration number AGC 2677 – they alerted police, who reacted swiftly to apprehend them.
“A total of three firearms, namely a 38 special revolver, double barrel short gun loaded with 5 x 12 bore live rounds, short gun loaded with 5 x 12 bore live rounds, two dummy pistols, a pair of hand-cuffs, two button sticks and one sjambok were recovered, amongst other items, hidden in a bush near Shavanhowe Bridge in Murewa,” said Muteweri.
They appeared before magistrate Loyce Mukunyadzi at Murewa Regional Magistrate Court and were each handed 82-year prison sentences each for the crime and many more.
A total of 10 years was suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour and one year suspended on condition of restitution of US$407 each.
They will serve an effective 44 years imprisonment each after some counts were made to run concurrently.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police continue to applaud members of the public for their sterling efforts in the fight against crime,” said Muteweri, who further encouraged them to always denounce criminal activities in their neighbourhoods.
