A 35-year-old Bulawayo man has been sentenced to an effective six years in prison after the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court convicted him on eight counts of robbery linked to a series of attacks targeting taxi drivers and commuters in the city.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) confirmed the conviction yesterday, saying the offender, identified as Nkosana Makheto of Bellevue, systematically posed as a passenger before unleashing a wave of armed robberies along key routes in Bulawayo.
According to the NPAZ, Makheto carried out the crimes between 18 April and 9 May 2026, using a replica firearm to intimidate victims.
“The Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court has sentenced Nkosana Makheto (35) of Bellevue, Bulawayo to an effective six years in prison after convicting him on eight counts of robbery,” the NPAZ said.
The prosecution told the court that Makheto would position himself along Balfour, Birkenhead and Luveve roads, where he targeted unsuspecting taxi drivers and commuters.
“Between the 18th of April and the 9th of May 2026, the offender would pose as a passenger along Balfour, Birkenhead and Luveve roads in Bulawayo and use a Blow F 92 9mm blank pistol to threaten and rob taxi drivers and commuters,” the authority said.
During the period of the spree, Makheto allegedly stole cash and mobile phones from multiple victims, accumulating USD460, ZAR20, and several mobile devices through the robberies.
“He stole USD460, ZAR20 and several mobile devices after threatening victims,” said the NPAZ.
The case took a decisive turn on 9 May 2026, when one of the targeted taxi drivers managed to track the suspect to a bushy area along Dundee Road. The driver reportedly mobilised members of the public, leading to Makheto’s arrest.
“On the 9th of May 2026, a taxi driver tracked the offender to a bushy area on Dundee Road and mobilised friends to apprehend him,” the NPAZ said.
The group subsequently handed Makheto over to the Zimbabwe Republic Police at ZRP Donnington Base, together with the weapon used in the robberies and recovered cash.
“The group handed him over to ZRP Donnington together with the pistol and USD40 cash,” the prosecution said.
Police investigations later established that Makheto was linked to the remaining counts of robbery, resulting in the recovery of additional stolen property valued at USD230.
The court imposed a seven-year custodial sentence, suspending one year on condition of restitution, leaving Makheto to serve an effective six-year jail term.
“The court imposed a seven-year sentence, suspending one year on condition of restitution, leaving six years to serve,” the NPAZ confirmed.
The case highlights growing concerns over opportunistic street crimes targeting public transport users, the NPAZ has warned against the use of imitation firearms in the commission of offences, noting that such acts carry severe custodial penalties under Zimbabwean law.
