Machete-Wielding Youths Sentenced To 50 Years After One-Night Crime Spree In Beatrice

Youthful Armed Robbers Sentenced To 50 Years Following One Night Crime Spree

BEATRICE – Two young men who turned the quiet night of Beatrice into a terrifying nightmare have been caged for a staggering 50 years after a violent crime spree involving machetes, axes, and stolen cellphones sent shockwaves through the farming community.

In a case that has rattled residents south of Harare, Conrade Moyo (22) and Milford Sudhakwa (23) were slapped with an effective half-century behind bars by the Beatrice Magistrates’ Court. The pair, alongside a third accomplice who remains on the run, embarked on a coordinated rampage during the night of 6 March 2026, breaking into homes and businesses with chilling brutality.

Axes, Machetes, and a Bloody Attack at Tavistock Farm

The terror began when the trio, armed with an axe, a knife, a bolt cutter, and menacing machetes, descended on Tavistock Farm. The gang violently forced their way into a local bar owned by Brian Masiwo. In a frenzied attack, they stabbed Masiwo on his left shoulder before ransacking the premises.

According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the gang did not stop there. They moved to nearby houses, kicking down doors and threatening innocent residents with knives, demanding cash and valuables as they stole cellphones, clothing, and money.

The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) detailed the sheer scale of the violence in a bulletin, stating:

“At Tavistock Farm, they violently broke into Brian Masiwo’s bar and stabbed the owner on the left shoulder during the attack. The gang proceeded to nearby houses where they threatened residents with knives, demanding cash and valuables while stealing cellphones, clothing, and money.”

Swift Police Response Leads to Arrest and Recovery

Following the wave of attacks, terrified community members flooded the police with reports, prompting an immediate response from law enforcement. Officers, working hand-in-hand with residents, launched a motorised patrol along the Harare-Masvingo Road, leading to the swift apprehension of Moyo and Sudhakwa. Their accomplice, identified by police as Shadreck Shava, managed to evade capture and is still being hunted.

A subsequent search of the suspects led to the recovery of a significant haul of stolen goods and weapons. Officers recovered US$780 (approximately R14,500), ZiG$110, several cellphones, the machete, the knife, and the bolt cutter used to commit the crimes. The police added that the arrest led to the recovery of “20 smart phones, USD 780.00 and ZiG 110.00 cash, two torches, a bolt cutter, machete, necklace, electric shocker and a satchel.”

11 Convictions and a Long Stretch in Prison

The weight of the evidence against the duo proved overwhelming in court. They were convicted on a staggering 11 counts, which included eight counts of unlawful entry in aggravated circumstances, two counts of robbery, and one count of theft. The court handed down a total sentence of 65 years imprisonment. However, in a move that shows judicial discretion, 15 years of that term were suspended, leaving the pair to face an effective 50 years in prison.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is continuing its manhunt for the outstanding suspect, Shadreck Shava, and has appealed to the public for any information that could lead to his arrest.