The Gwanda Regional Magistrates' Court has sentenced a 33-year-old man from Kezi to an effective 10 years in prison after convicting him on two counts of armed robbery arising from a violent home invasion in Mafuyana, Maphisa.
The offender, Sandile Ngwenya, was apprehended at the scene by neighbours after he allegedly shot one of his victims during a struggle.
Court proceedings heard that on October 26, 2025, at around 10pm, two men aged 29 and 32 returned to their home in Mafuyana from Mbeba Business Centre.
As they approached the back door of their house, they were confronted by Ngwenya, who was allegedly wearing a black balaclava and armed with an AK-SA ARMS AK20 9mm pistol.
The court heard that Ngwenya pointed the firearm at the pair and demanded cash and mobile phones before ordering them into the house.
One of the victims managed to slip away to the opposite side of the house while Ngwenya focused his attention on the remaining victim.
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According to evidence presented in court, the remaining victim attempted to disarm Ngwenya by grabbing his right hand, resulting in a violent struggle. During the altercation, Ngwenya allegedly struck him on the forehead with the butt of the pistol.
The second victim then returned to assist his companion, but Ngwenya allegedly turned the firearm on him and fired a shot, striking him in the forehead.
The gunshot and ensuing commotion attracted neighbours, who rushed to the scene and assisted in subduing and apprehending Ngwenya before police arrived.
During the incident, Ngwenya sustained a broken right lower limb and head injuries.
Police officers who attended the scene recovered an AK-SA ARMS AK20 9mm pistol loaded with a magazine containing five live rounds.
Also recovered were a black wallet containing US$1, a bus ticket and a Samsung Galaxy A03 cellphone.
Following his conviction on two counts of armed robbery, the court sentenced Ngwenya to an effective 10-year prison term.
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