Bradfield Break-In Trio Now Facing 21 Charges, Remanded In Custody
Three men from Nketa suburb accused of terrorising residents in Bulawayo’s Bradfield area are now facing two additional counts of unlawful entry, adding to 19 existing charges already before the courts.
The suspects — John Malunga, Fungai Chinjodzi, and Arise Moyo, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Dube-Banda this week, where they pleaded not guilty to the latest allegations.
According to prosecutors, the trio allegedly broke into two homes in Bradfield on 21 March.
The first incident occurred just after 1a.m, when they reportedly scaled a precast wall and stole a generator, electric stove, bicycle, and pressure washers.
Later that same day, around 1:30p.m, they allegedly struck again, smashing a kitchen window and making off with a gas stove.
Investigators linked both incidents and arrested the suspects shortly after the second break-in was reported.
In court, Malunga denied involvement and claimed they were framed by police while acting as middlemen.
“I was approached by a man called Mthokozisi from our suburb. He said he was selling a generator, pressure washers, a TV, a bicycle and a four-plate stove.
“I started looking for customers and asked my friends Moyo and Chinjodzi to help.That is when police pounced on us, beat us and forced us to admit to stealing property that was not ours,” he told the court.
The new charges come while Malunga, Chinjodzi, and Moyo are already facing 19 other counts of unlawful entry and theft before magistrate Itai Kagwere.
They have denied all charges.
H-Metro reported that the trio’s alleged crime spree has left Bradfield residents shaken, prompting many to upgrade security and live behind locked gates.
“We used to feel safe here but now you sleep with one eye open,” said one frightened resident outside the courthouse.
The accused remain in custody and were remanded to 7 October.
If convicted on all counts, they could face lengthy prison sentences.
