Lesleigh Chidawanyika
A HARARE man, who has been on run after committing a series of robberies, was yesterday hauled before the courts facing new robbery charges.
Tinotenda Maunga, 24, appeared before Harare magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa charged with robbery and kidnapping.
He was remanded in custody to February 6 with instruction to apply for bail at the High court.
The State apposed his bail application arguing that Maunga was facing a serious offence and was a flight risk.
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“Your worship the accused person is likely to abscond court considering that from the day he knew he was sought by the police, he stopped going home until the day he was arrested.
“He is likely to commit further offences basing on a number of similar offences he committed before.
“If granted bail he is likely to interfere with witness; at one point he sent someone to the complainant to book an appointment,” the State said.
Allegations are that on January 3 this year, Maunga was in the company of his accomplices who are still at large when they offered the complainant Kathrine Maisa transport Market Square Complex going to Rusape.
The court heard that when they reached Msasa, Maisa told Maunga that she wanted to disembark from the vehicle as she had realised that she had left her cellphone in Highfield where she was coming from.
However Maunga failed to stop and locked the door before he sped towards Marondera and when they reached Marondera Maunga took Maisa’s handbag with US$2 000 and $150.
Maunga allegedly threatened to kill Maisa with a knife if she reported the matter to anyone and his accomplices only identified as Simon and Peter pushed her outside the vehicle and drove off.
Maisa then made a complaint with the police and Maunga was arrested the following day while driving from Marondera to Harare.
– HMETRO