Serial robber, rapist faces 29 counts
Yesterday, Issa Siyabu (36) pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, five counts of robbery, and 22 counts of unlawful entry when he appeared before regional magistrate Mrs. Loice Mukunyadze.
Siyabu, a wanted suspect for the past four years, has been apprehended and confessed to his crimes. The plea recording has been scheduled for today, during which the magistrate will confirm the details before the sentencing procedure commences.
The accused, originally from Chegutu, targeted affluent neighborhoods in Harare, specifically Mount Pleasant and Borrowdale, and did not spare influential figures. Notably, Siyabu burgled the house of former Harare Mayor, Mr. Bernard Manyenyeni, last month while he slept. Among the stolen items were a laptop, six Kenyan passports, and various documents.
Another victim of his criminal spree is businessman Mr. Arnold Ajara, whose house was raided on December 23rd. Siyabu gained entry by scaling over the durawall and made off with a Play Station 5, Macbook Air, Bose speaker, iPhone 14, cellphone, and JBL Speaker. The stolen items have an estimated worth of US$5000.
On Boxing Day, Siyabu attacked Mr. Simbarashe Makomichi, an executive manager at Better Brands Petroleum, in his own home. Mr. Makomichi woke up to the sound of Siyabu entering his bedroom, wielding a knife. Siyabu ordered Mr. Makomichi and his wife to cover their faces and threatened to harm them if they resisted. Compliance was their only option as Siyabu escaped with US$1200 in cash, an iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone X, iPad, and Kwacha equivalent to US$800. The total value of the stolen items amounted to US$5200, with none being recovered.
In yet another count, a 42-year-old woman in Mt. Pleasant was confronted by Siyabu armed with a knife inside her cottage around 2 AM on January 7th. After searching for money and finding only US$5, Siyabu forced her out of the room, threatening to rape her. Subsequently, he took US$700 in cash and raped her twice. The total value stolen was US$705, and none of the stolen items have been recovered.
Additionally, the court learned of another rape incident involving Siyabu. On December 8th, during the night, he raped a 26-year-old woman in Borrowdale.
The case against Siyabu has now come to light, as he faces the consequences of his heinous acts. The residents of Harare can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that this serial robber and rapist is finally off the streets. The sentencing procedure will soon commence, shedding further light on the severity of his crimes and the impact they have had on the victims.
It is important to note that Siyabu’s reign of terror serves as a glaring reminder of the need for improved security measures, especially in affluent residential areas. The recent spate of crimes highlights the vulnerability of even the most seemingly safe neighborhoods.
The state will present evidence in aggravation during the sentencing procedure, painting a full picture of the psychological and emotional trauma experienced by the victims at the hands of Siyabu. As this chilling case unfolds, the residents of Harare eagerly await justice for the crimes committed against them and hope for a safer future.
Security authorities and law enforcement agencies encourage individuals to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to ensure the continued safety of the community.
