By Tatiana Mhararira
Two convicted robbers, aged 36 and 27, have been sentenced to 144 years in prison each for the crimes committed in Masvingo. The harsh sentence serves as a deterrent to would-be offenders, sending a strong message about the consequences of committing serious crimes.
The pair was sentenced at Chiredzi Regional Magistrate’s court and assuming they survive to serve their full sentences, the 36-year-old would be 180 years old, and the 27-year-old would be 171 years old upon release.
The two were arrested following a series of armed robberies committed in Mwenezi between December 2024 and February 2025.
In a statement released by the Zimbabwe Republic Police on July 2, 2025 Police applauded members of the public for providing information that led to the arrest of two.
“The ZRP confirms the arrest and conviction of Gift Maphosa (36) and Mpokiseng Dube (27) for three accounts of armed robbery which occurred between December 13, 2025 and February 22, 2025 in Mwenezi.
“The ZRP extends profound gratitude to members of the public for supplying useful information that led to the arrest of the two accused persons. We implore the public to continue supporting and cooperating with the police in fighting crime,” reads the press statement.
On February 22, 2025, detectives acted on received information that Maphosa was one of the suspects committing some robberies along Masvingo-Beitbridge road, where they would target unsuspecting travellers during night time.
The duo would set a trap for motorists by blocking the road with stones and when motorists reduced speed or tried to remove the stones, they would emerge from the darkness with pistols and threaten to shoot victims while demanding cash and valuables.
In one of the cases, the duo shot and injured two victims after they had tried to resist.
The detectives apprehended Maphosa who then implicated his accomplice Dube, leading to his arrest in Beitbridge.
