Zimbabwean Army Officer Sentenced to 12 Years for Armed Robbery
A junior officer in the Zimbabwe National Army, Kudakwashe Kamhinza (21), has been sentenced to an effective eight-year prison term for his involvement in an armed robbery in Homelink, Tynwald, Harare.
Kamhinza was arraigned before the Harare Magistrates Court on charges of robbery and was found guilty of forcibly entering a house belonging to Taurayi Pambweyi with five accomplices, demanding cash and valuables from the homeowner and his wife. The gang made away with cash and valuables worth USD 29,000, including cellphones, laptops, decoders, external hard drives, and groceries, which they loaded into Pambweyi’s Toyota Hilux before driving off.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Kamhinza was later arrested on a murder charge committed with his gang in Domboshava. During a formal identification parade on January 20, 2022, the complainant and his wife identified Kamhinza as one of the robbers. The NPA said that Kamhinza was sentenced to 12 years in prison, of which four years were suspended, and he will serve an effective eight years.
The Court’s Ruling
During the trial, Magistrate Tafadzwa Miti found Kamhinza guilty of armed robbery and sentenced him accordingly. The ruling sends a strong message to members of the military that they are not above the law and that criminal activities will be met with severe consequences.
“The Court’s ruling is a clear indication that members of the Zimbabwe National Army are not above the law, and those involved in criminal activities will be brought to justice. This verdict should serve as a warning to other military personnel who may be tempted to engage in criminal activities,” said a legal expert.