POLICE in Bulawayo have arrested two gangs of armed robbers, one of whom is suspected to have killed a security guard at a Seventh Day Adventist church-run primary school in Pelandaba suburb. Four members of the first group of armed robbers: Onias Bhebhe (43), Thompson Phuthi (40) Martin Bhebhe (36) and Nozinhle Bhebhe (24) have been linked to the Pelandaba suburb murder. Their victim, Buton Sikalongo, whom they allegedly savagely attacked, died upon admission…

A 27-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo woman was kidnapped and held captive for seven days by her ex-boyfriend who repeatedly raped her during that period. Kudakwashe Antony Mapwevo (27) of New Lobengula suburb appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube charged with four counts of malicious damage to property, assault, rape and unlawful detention. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded to January 27 for trial. Prosecuting, Mr Mufaro Mageza said Mapwevo allegedly sent a message to…

  BULAWAYO High Court Judge Justice Nicholas Mathonsi has bemoaned the rise in violent killings and said a programme must be put in place to find reasons behind the trend to find a lasting solution. Justice Mathonsi said it was sad that society appears to be accepting and getting used to the culture of killing. Officially opening the legal year for the Gweru High Court Circuit yesterday, Justice Mathonsi said there was a need for…

A JUNIOR officer based at Silobela Police Station in Midlands province recently landed himself in trouble after he allegedly defaced portrait pictures of President Robert Mugabe and Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri, accusing them of causing his misery. Constable Comfort Kawere was arrested last Thursday after he allegedly walked into the charge office, took down Mugabe’s portrait and went on to deface it with an “X” before adding obscenities on the picture. He is alleged to…

  TWO Pakistani nationals, who allegedly assaulted and threatened to kill their compatriot’s family, yesterday appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Court charged with assault and threats to commit murder Ibrah Ijaz (31) and Sajid Irfan (37), appeared before magistrate Sekai Chiundura and were remanded to February 23 on $50 bail each. The complainant in the matter, Muhamad Zaheer, is also the accused in another court on assault charges emanating from the same incident. Zaheer is…

FIREBRAND South African opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, yesterday blasted President Robert Mugabe, saying his continued stay in power was not good for Zimbabwe, Sadc and “the African revolution project”. Malema, who is often described as an ideologue taking after Mugabe, told journalists in Braamfontein, South Africa, that what was happening in Zimbabwe was bad and chided Zanu PF members for being cowards in failing to tell the Zimbabwean leader to go….