Chitungwiza Highway Robber Jailed 14 Years for Violent Attacks

A Chitungwiza man convicted of carrying out violent highway robberies along the Harare-Mutare Road has been sentenced to an effective 14 years in prison after the Rusape Magistrates’ Court found him guilty on four counts of robbery.

Isiah Chiocha, aged 42, was convicted for participating in a series of coordinated attacks in Rusape and Headlands in which victims were threatened with knives, stripped naked and dumped in nearby bushes after being robbed of their valuables.

According to information released by the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, the robberies targeted unsuspecting passengers travelling along the Harare-Mutare Road using a method in which victims were lured into vehicles before being attacked.

Court proceedings heard that on April 24, 2023, Chiocha and his accomplices used a silver Honda CRV to lure passengers before turning violent at Chigudu Farm in Headlands. Prosecutors said the gang was armed with Okapi knives and threatened victims with death during the robberies.

The court heard that victims were ordered to undress before being robbed of cash, cellphones, clothing and other personal belongings. In one incident, a victim lost cash, bank cards, clothing and valuables before having hands tied with rope and being dumped naked in the bush.

In another robbery committed on the same day, prosecutors said a second victim was threatened with a knife before being robbed of cash, clothes, cellphones and a travelling bag using a similar method.

The court further heard that the gang carried out another series of robberies on June 20, 2023, at Torish Farm in Rusape while travelling in a black Nissan Serena. Victims were again threatened with knives before being stripped naked, tied up and abandoned in the bush.

During the attacks, several victims lost cash, mobile phones, clothes and other personal effects. Investigators later recovered a Samsung A31 cellphone linked to one of the robberies, which became part of the evidence presented before the court.

Prosecutors told the court that the total value of stolen property ran into thousands of United States dollars, although only limited recoveries were made following investigations into the crimes.

The Rusape Magistrates’ Court sentenced Chiocha to 20 years imprisonment for the offences. However, six years were suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving him with an effective 14-year prison sentence.

In a statement following the conviction, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe said the justice system would continue imposing stiff custodial sentences on violent offenders involved in armed robberies and degrading treatment of victims.

Authorities said robbery involving the use of weapons remains a serious offence and warned that the law would continue dealing firmly with perpetrators involved in violent crimes targeting members of the public travelling on Zimbabwe’s highways.