4 years for robbing a man of his cellphone
SIBONGUTHANDO DUBE
Mirror Reporter
MBERENGWA – In a sordid example of the ruthless life that obtains on the illegal mines, a man was forced to surrender his cellphone after being struck by a machete by an illegal gold miner.
Richard Shoko (20) of Chihwai Village under Chief Mapiravana in Mberengwa was on Tuesday last week sentenced to four years in prison for a cellphone robbery.
Shoko appeared before Mberengwa Magistrate Caroline Tafira-Nyoni and did not deny the charge of robbery. The complainant is Shadreck Chigumbu an employee at Ziyalanda Mine.
Twelve months of the sentence were suspended for five years and Shoko is going to serve an effective three years.
Prosecutor Matidaishe Pavazhira said on May 26, 2022 at 10am Chigumbu was at Ziyalanda when he met Shoko who went on to demand his cell phone alleging that it belonged to him. Chigumbu refused to hand over the phone and Shoko produced a machete and hit him once on the left hand and left thigh. Out of fear Chigumbu surrendered the itel A56 cellphone to Shoko and reported the matter to Police. Shoko was found in possession of the cellphone.
