Two men from Mabale, Dete – Ignatius Mwanza (19) and Coster Masuku (36) – have been sentenced to four months in prison for a violent robbery in which they stole just US$3 from a local herd boy.
The duo appeared before the Hwange Magistrates’ Court, where they were convicted of robbery following a brutal attack on a 52-year-old man on the night of June 1, 2025.
According to court testimony, the victim was walking home near the Mabale football ground around 10 PM when he was ambushed. Mwanza punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground. As the victim lay helpless, a third suspect, still at large and identified as Shaine Ncube, stripped him and stole US$3 from his inner shorts.
The court heard that the victim was left naked and managed to make it home in distress. He reported the incident days later, leading to the arrest and conviction of Mwanza and Masuku. Ncube remains at large.
Presiding magistrate sentenced the men to six months imprisonment, but suspended two months for five years on condition of good behavior. Both will serve four effective months behind bars.
