Kariba court convicted six and a soldier tied to the kidnapping

Six dudes just caught 4.5 years behind bars after they jacked some fishermen on Lake Kariba and held them hostage for ransom money.

The Lake Kariba hijacking that went wrong

• Kanyoka, a former military member, teamed up with five other guys last December.
• The crew jumped three fishermen and snatched their phones and dried kapenta.
• Victims got dragged to Musampakaruma Island while the gang demanded 26,000 Kwacha.
• A multi-agency raid busted the operation and freed the hostages.

What authorities pulled from the scene

• Security forces recovered the stolen fishing rig and speedboat from the suspects.
• Cops also grabbed a vehicle and the camouflage gear the group used.
• The dried kapenta that was originally stolen got returned to the victims.

Sentences handed down at Kariba Magistrates' Court

• Nyanye, Mawiranhaka, Tagara, Nhimura, and Mashakada all got identical punishment terms.
• Each suspect received 18 months for the robbery charges in the case.
• The kidnapping conviction tacked on three additional years for every defendant involved.