Lewis Mbeli, a 28-year-old man from Bulawayo, allegedly planned a robbery targeting an elderly family member of his employer who had recently returned from the United States. He reportedly worked with four associates, Tyson Moyo (29), Zibusiso Ndlovu (28), Zibusiso Manungwa (29), and Nqobile Nxumalo (29), to steal $5,000 in cash and valuables from 70-year-old Caroline Richards and her family at gunpoint.
According to the court, Mbeli informed his associates that Richards had arrived from the US with a large sum of money. That evening, the four suspects went to Richards' home in Woodville and notified Mbeli upon their arrival. Mbeli then stepped outside, pretending to feed the dogs.
The court heard that Mbeli returned to the house, seemingly forced at gunpoint by Moyo and Ndlovu, acting as if he were also a victim of the robbery. The five suspects appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Sibonginkosi Mkandla on six counts of armed robbery. Magistrate Mkandla advised them to seek bail from the High Court without asking them to plead.
State representative Dominic Moyo told the court that Moyo and Ndlovu demanded money from the family after entering the house with Mbeli. They allegedly stole $2,700 in cash, cell phones, a laptop, clothing, and other items, totaling $5,000 in value.
In a separate case, two additional suspects, Nduduzo Mthethwa (46) and Butho Ndlovu (28), appeared in the same court session. Mthethwa allegedly recruited the same gang to rob his employer in Newton West. Prosecutor Moyo explained that Mthethwa had informed the gang of his employers' wealth and suggested robbing them.
To carry out the plan, Mthethwa and two accomplices invited the husband to drinks at a local bar in a high-density suburb, leaving the wife alone at home. Mbeli and three others then allegedly broke into the house, stealing cash, electronics, jewelry, handbags, hair products, and perfumes worth $1,500. Magistrate Mkandla remanded all the suspects in custody until December 13.
According to the court, Mbeli informed his associates that Richards had arrived from the US with a large sum of money. That evening, the four suspects went to Richards' home in Woodville and notified Mbeli upon their arrival. Mbeli then stepped outside, pretending to feed the dogs.
The court heard that Mbeli returned to the house, seemingly forced at gunpoint by Moyo and Ndlovu, acting as if he were also a victim of the robbery. The five suspects appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Sibonginkosi Mkandla on six counts of armed robbery. Magistrate Mkandla advised them to seek bail from the High Court without asking them to plead.
State representative Dominic Moyo told the court that Moyo and Ndlovu demanded money from the family after entering the house with Mbeli. They allegedly stole $2,700 in cash, cell phones, a laptop, clothing, and other items, totaling $5,000 in value.
In a separate case, two additional suspects, Nduduzo Mthethwa (46) and Butho Ndlovu (28), appeared in the same court session. Mthethwa allegedly recruited the same gang to rob his employer in Newton West. Prosecutor Moyo explained that Mthethwa had informed the gang of his employers' wealth and suggested robbing them.
To carry out the plan, Mthethwa and two accomplices invited the husband to drinks at a local bar in a high-density suburb, leaving the wife alone at home. Mbeli and three others then allegedly broke into the house, stealing cash, electronics, jewelry, handbags, hair products, and perfumes worth $1,500. Magistrate Mkandla remanded all the suspects in custody until December 13.
