South African Nationals on Trial for Bulawayo Armed Robbery

Two South African nationals are on trial in Bulawayo for an armed robbery at a fuel station, with prosecutors arguing that jackets worn during the crime and recovered items link them to the US$4,000 heist (image source)

BULAWAYO — Two South African nationals accused of robbing a Bulawayo fuel service station of more than US$4,000 at gunpoint were allegedly identified through the jackets they wore during the crime, a regional court has heard.

Nonjabulo Wisdom Nyoni (30) and Chrisvision Ncube, both from Johannesburg, are standing trial before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube on charges of armed robbery. The pair is accused of raiding Redan Fuel Service Station in Bellevue on October 4, 2025, together with an accomplice identified only as Mduduzi, who remains at large.

Taking the stand first, Nyoni denied any involvement in the robbery, telling the court that he did not know his co-accused and was in Pumula South suburb at the time of the incident. He also disowned a jacket recovered by police, which the State alleges links him to the crime.

Ncube similarly denied the charge, saying he was arrested while disembarking from a commuter omnibus as he was travelling to visit his girlfriend. He too denied ownership of the jacket allegedly connected to the robbery.

However, State witness Bruce Nyoni testified that he saw the accused hurriedly boarding a commuter omnibus shortly after the robbery, each carrying jackets. He said detectives later observed the men pushing the jackets under a seat, behaviour that raised suspicion and prompted further investigation.

Further evidence was presented by Redan Fuel Service Station representative Mr Casper Musesengwa, who told the court that employees positively identified the accused during an identification parade based on the jackets and a T-shirt worn during the robbery.

Prosecutor Sehliselo Khumalo outlined that the suspects allegedly arrived at the service station in a Honda Fit, confronted the supervisor and pointed a firearm at his head while demanding money. The supervisor reportedly threw down a satchel containing US$4,405 and R1,350 before being ordered to lie down as the assailants fled towards the city centre.

Detectives from the Homicide Section later arrested Nyoni and Ncube, recovering a pistol, US$1,322 and R770 during the operation. The State argues that the recovered clothing, firearm and cash directly link the accused to the robbery.

The case has attracted public attention in Bulawayo, amid concerns over rising cross-border criminal activity. The matter was postponed to January 22 for judgment, which is expected to determine whether the clothing and other evidence will be sufficient to secure convictions.