Four men have been arraigned in Masvingo Magistrates’ Court on charges related to a brazen bus robbery. Ashton Siziva, Talent Mlaudzi, Saul Dadirai, and Phineas Shumba stand accused of a meticulously planned heist targeting a Blue Circle Bus.
It is the state`s case that on the 17th of July, the quartet, in collaboration with Elphase Mugudubudze—who remains at large—traveled from Beitbridge to Harare. The plot thickened on the 18th, when at around 4 AM, the suspects boarded a bus back to Beitbridge. They struck at Vilivili bus stop, where Mugudubudze, wielding a pistol, and the other men, armed with okapi knives, terrorized the driver and passengers. The bus was forced to a secluded spot, its lights extinguished, and the passengers robbed of their valuables.
The court heard that swift police investigations led to the capture of the suspects. The stolen property, amounting to ZAR63,474 and USD12,746, was partly recovered. However, the criminals had already made off with valuables worth ZAR7,000 and USD500.
The accused have been remanded in custody until their next court appearance on the 2nd of August.
