Patient Sibanda, Court Reporter
TWO men who were part of a gang of five that raided a police base near Amakhosi Cultural Centre in Bulawayo on Friday night have appeared in court facing robbery and attempted rape charges.
Thumani Sibanda, 33, of Makokoba suburb and Bhekimpilo Khumalo, 31, of Pumula South suburb pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery and one count of attempted rape before magistrate Gladmore Mushove.
Three other alleged accomplices Tawanda Moyo, Mbonisi Ncube and Menzi Dube are still on the run.
The five men allegedly attacked two police officers Elizabeth Chinemushonga and Admire Kasi who were at the police base at the time, but are stationed at Magwegwe Police.
Magistrate Mushove remanded Sibanda and Khumalo in custody to today for sentencing.
Their trial heard that the men arrived at the police post late at night on February 26 and claimed they wanted to report a case of robbery.
“Upon entering inside the tent they asked the police to light a torch since it was dark. They further asked if the officers had guns since the alleged assailants they wanted arrested were armed and dangerous,” said Jeremiah Mutsindikwa, prosecuting.
On being told that the police were not armed, the men produced knives and two pairs of handcuffs and attacked the unarmed officers.
The court heard that Kasi ran away, but they caught up with him and seized $20 and a phone from him.
They then went for Chinemushonga and attempted to rape her.
“They dragged her into a thicket of grass, cut open her pair of trousers and belt using their knives. They stripped her naked. They wrestled with her as they called themselves professional rapists. They took $5 and a necklace from her,” said the prosecutor.
Kasi escaped and called for reinforcements who arrived before Chinemushonga was raped.
Sibanda and Khumalo were arrested, but their alleged accomplices ran away.
The court heard that the gang stole a phone, cash and a necklace from the two cops all valued at $80 and nothing was recovered.