Brighton Java was not asked to plead when he appeared before local magistrate Judith Taruvinga. He was remanded in custody to 27 March.
Prosecutor Daniel Tapfuma told the court that in December, Java who resides at Nyagari village under Chief Nhema in Shurugwi, teamed up with his accomplice, Lawrence Mushandu – who is still at large – and stole the weapon and ammunition from Blasio Katsande’s home in Fitchlea, Kwekwe. The complainant aged 58 is employed at the president’s office in Kwekwe.
They also stole cash amounting to $215 from a gun cabinet. On March 8 the second complainant, Lieutenant Colonel Muza,43, was driving a military vehicle when he decided to relieve himself at the 198 km peg along Harare-Masvingo road. Java and his accomplice emerged from the nearby bush, produced the P1 pistol and demanded cash.
They also ordered him to lie down and took cash from his trousers amounting to $40. They went on to search his vehicle and took a laptop, two cellphones, a black satchel, a pair of sandals, a pair of white takkies, two pairs of bed sheets, and a complete Army uniform before running away.
In January the local courts also witnessed a case of robbery involving a soldier and CIO officer Andrew Dumba, 54. He was accused of robbing a soldier, Dennis Manyongori of 5 brigade army headquarters, of $300 after beating him for relieving himself near the intelligence department’s offices in Gweru. The case is still pending.
Post published in: News