Mutare robber sentenced to 10 years in prison for brazen heist
In a swift display of justice, a Mutare magistrate has sentenced 24-year-old Talent Duri to 10 years in prison for his involvement in a daring robbery that took place in the city last year.
The incident occurred on October 3, 2023, when Duri, along with his accomplice Tonderai Muranganwa, who remains at large, targeted two unsuspecting victims – Trust Chidzungutsungu and Cuthbert Rombe – in Chidzungutsungu’s office. Armed with a firearm, the duo threatened the victims and forcibly tied their hands with a rope before assaulting them and demanding cash and valuables.
The robbers made off with a substantial haul, including Chidzungutsungu’s US$3,500 in cash, a cellphone, two gold scales, and his car keys. They then drove away in Chidzungutsungu’s vehicle, which was later recovered in Borrowdale, Harare, on January 27, 2024, from a man who had purchased it from Duri.
The robbers also searched Rombe and stole his cellphone and US$700 in cash, bringing the total value of the stolen items to a staggering US$12,722. However, a significant portion of the stolen funds, amounting to US$5,500, was eventually recovered.
Duri, who was arrested in Chikanga, Mutare, on January 30, 2024, implicated his accomplice Tonderai Muranganwa during the investigation. The magistrate, acknowledging the severity of the crimes, sentenced Duri to 10 years in prison, with one year suspended and a further four years suspended on the condition of restitution.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences faced by those who engage in such brazen acts of criminality. The swift justice meted out by the Mutare magistrate sends a clear message that such lawlessness will not be tolerated in the community.
