The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) has confirmed that a 24-year-old Beitbridge man has been sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of armed robbery following a violent incident that occurred earlier this year.
In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe said Thabiso Ngwenya was convicted by the Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court for a robbery that took place on January 11, 2026, when he attacked a woman, who was walking alone, in the border town.
“A 24-year-old man, Thabiso Ngwenya, has been convicted of robbery by the Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court following a violent incident that occurred on the 11th of January 2026 in Beitbridge,” the NPAZ said.
The authority said the victim, a 40-year-old woman, was on her way to Chicago Bus Terminus at around 1600 hours when the offender suddenly confronted her from the bush and demanded her cellphone.
“The victim was walking alone towards Chicago Bus Terminus at around 1600 hours when the offender suddenly emerged from the bush and confronted her, demanding her cellphone while falsely claiming it resembled his own,” the NPAZ added.
According to the prosecution authority, the situation turned violent after the woman refused to hand over the phone and tried to secure her belongings.
“When the victim refused and secured her phone in her handbag, the offender forcefully grabbed the bag and, upon resistance, produced an okapi knife and threatened to stab her, instilling fear and compelling her to surrender her belongings,” the NPAZ said.
The offender fled into the bush with the stolen property, which included two mobile phones and cash in foreign currency.
“The stolen items included a Nokia A36 cellphone, a Huawei Honor X6 cellphone, and cash amounting to ZAR 2000 and US$300. The total value stolen was ZAR 8700, and nothing was recovered,” the authority said.
The NPAZ said Ngwenya was later arrested in connection with another robbery case in Juta Village, leading to his identification by the complainant.
“The offender was later arrested in connection with another robbery case in Juta Village and was positively identified by the victim,” the NPAZ added.
He was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment, with an additional two months suspended on condition of restitution, leaving an effective five-year jail term.
“The use of weapons to instill fear and rob innocent citizens is a serious offence. The justice system will continue to ensure that offenders are held accountable and that communities are protected from such acts of lawlessness,” the NPAZ said.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe continues to urge members of the public to report violent crimes, saying strong penalties will be pursued in cases involving weapons and threats of violence
