Zimbabwean serial robbers failed to challenge incriminating evidence

Lebogang Mosikare | Thursday May 21, 2015 12:54

 

The trio Thabani Mapunganyuka, Sungusani Tafarushe and Godwin Mapunganyuka allegedly used three pistols to rob Precious Filling Station about P7,500 on January 17, 2014. They were charged with three other people who are still on the run. During continuation of trial yesterday, Neo Motswaiso told the court that when the filling station was robbed, she saw the accused all holding pistols. Motswaiso said after they robbed the business they ordered a taxi driver who came to the filling station to fuel up and drive them away from the scene in the direction of Francistown. “The robbers were six in number. We stayed in the filling station and we were afraid to come out thinking that they may  still be in the vicinity. We came out of the filling station after about 10 minutes gripped with fear,” said Motswaiso.

She said that at first she thought that the accused may have killed some of her colleagues who they had ordered to go inside a room containing the safe where the money was kept. Motswaiso said that Thabani Mapunganyuka took her Nokia cellphone while Godwin Mapunganyuka took her P300.

Archie Makgoa represented the state in the matter. The case continues.

The accused are also charged with robbing City Way Filling Station of P10,700 and airtime worth P940 on January 8 last year, using the same modus operandi. In another matter, Thabani Mapunganyuka and Sungusani Tafarushe are also charged with gunning down John Keletse, a former Biology teacher at Masunga Senior Secondary School. The incident allegedly happened at Matsiloje, 45 kilometres east of Francistown on December 20, 2013. The state also alleges that the accused also robbed other bar patrons of valuables, including cellphones and money before crossing the border into Zimbabwe, a stone’s throw from where the incidents took place.