US$2.7m Gwebi bridge robbers seek freedom

Two of the armed robbers allegedly involved in the Gwebi bridge US$2 775 000 robbery three weeks ago have approached the High Court seeking freedom pending trial.
Dennis Madondo and Charles Chirara were represented by lawyer Tawanda Takaendesa.
Leading the State, Beaven Murevanhema submitted that the duo was likely to abscond and interfere with investigations if admitted to bail as the charges they are facing were serious and attract a lengthy jail term which would induce their desire to abscond trial.
It was further submitted that there is overwhelming evidence against the two after Madondo led to the recovery of US$62 500 before leading detectives to the recovery of a Mercedes Benz E320 he bought with some of the loot.
Murevanhema stated that there are video indications and evidence proving communication of the applicant with his co-accused before and during the commission of the offence.
He further submitted that Madondo had demonstrated that he has the propensity of committing offences of similar nature as he is on bail and committed the current charge whilst under the restrictions.
Chirara was also implicated by his accomplices and his Toyota Paso was used during the commission of the offence. The vehicle in question was also recovered before he made indications on video recordings.
Murevanhema further told the court that the money recovered, indications made and exhibits recovered formed real evidence against the duo and a conviction was inevitable.
Their lawyer Takaendesa asked the matter to be postponed to Friday to give him time to respond to the State’s submissions after he received the State papers today.
Presiding over the matter, Judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi postponed the matter to Friday. Nhau/Indaba