Two get life sentences for gruesome knife murder during robbery
By Auther Chimbgwa
Two members of a notorious robbery gang have both been sentenced to life imprisonment following their conviction for the gruesome murder on a victim during a robbery in September 2024.
In a media update, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) spokesperson Detective Inspector Rachael Muteweri identified the duo as Sanele Simbarashe Makono (23) and Sterio Joao Mahachi (55), both residents of Mutare.
The third suspect – Timothy Charles – according to Muteweri, is still at large.
The three gruesomely killed their victim along the Harare-Mutare railway line opposite Yeovil location in Mutare.
Their sentence follows trial and conviction by a Mutare High Court judge recently.
“The trio stabbed the victim with knives several times before getting away with his cell phone and other valuables,” said Muteweri in a statement.
“But the two’s luck ran out on 14 September 2024 when detectives from CID Mutare, with the help of network service providers, traced the stolen cell phone, leading to the arrest of Makono, who implicated his accomplices Mahachi and Charles.
“Charles is still on the run, though, with detectives working round the clock to run him to earth.
“Further investigations unearthed two more murder cases linked to the trio.
“Follow ups were made on the outstanding, leading to the arrest of Mahachi on 13 May 2025.
“This was after detectives got information that the suspect was already serving a 5-year jail term for another robbery case.”
On 20 January 2026, the two appeared before Mutare High Court Judge Isaac Muzenda, who convicted and sentenced them to life imprisonment.
They are, however, yet to be tried on the two other murder charges.
Meanwhile, in another matter involving murder, Muteweri confirmed the conviction and sentencing to 15 years imprisonment of Thabani Gambiza 19 of Huchu village, Chief Mataruse, Mataruse, Mberengwa recently.
On 19 August 2025, at around 1am, Gambiza, together with his accomplice Fungai Kuboya, who is on the run, assaulted the victim during a beer drink brawl.
The victim later succumbed to injuries sustained.
Detectives made follow ups, leading to Gambiza’s arrest.
On 19 January 2026, he appeared before Judge Munamato Mutevedzi at Gweru High Court Circuit and was handed the deterrent sentence.
