IImagine waking up to the sound of gunshots and finding armed men holding your family hostage…
This was a real life experience of an entrepreneur in Umjosa in Matabeleland North.
The businessman, whose name has been withheld for security reasons, had his sleep interrupted by the unmistakable sound of a gun in his shop last Wednesday.
Thinking the worst, he rushed to the store to investigate.
He was greeted by a disturbing scene that was infinitely worse than he had ever imagined.
His wife and children were lying on the ground, with three armed men standing above them.
One of the gunmen brutally hit him on the back of the head with the butt of his pistol and threatened to shoot him.
The trio allegedly demanded money and mobile phones. They ordered him to join his family on Earth.
One of the robbers reportedly opened the cash box and took the US$100 that was inside and two mobile phones. The gang then fled, leaving the family in shock.
The incident was reported to the police and investigations were conducted which led to the arrest of Makhosini Matobela (32 years old).
He was found in possession of a gun, which was taken to the forensic department of the Criminal Investigation Department for examination.
Matobela appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate, Dambudzo Malonga, where he faces a charge of armed robbery.
He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody until February 26.
The police are still hunting his accomplices. B metro
