The three notorious armed robbers who allegedly robbed a South African tourist on a visit to Zimbabwe of R3 000, Z$130 million and a bag containing clothes and other valuables and an undisclosed amount in US dollars at gunpoint along Beitbridge-Masvingo Road, appeared in court on Monday.

The three, Prince Maphosa (26), Edgar Hove (27) and Isaiah (33), all of no fixed abode, appeared before Beitbridge magistrate Mr Tawengwa Sangster, facing seven counts of armed robbery.

The trio, which is facing charges of armed robbery, had their case postponed to 31 October, pending further investigations and no bail was granted to them.

The prosecutor, Mr Tichafa Mabhengere, said between 5 September and 7 October, the three accused committed a spate of armed robberies, during which they waylaid motorists along the Beitbridge-Masvingo Road, 4km outside Beitbridge town. It was during that period that they also robbed a South African tourist of the amount of money and possessions mentioned above.

The victim was on his way to Masvingo town and he had decided to make a stop over at a lay-bye when the accused persons confronted him. The armed robbers then fired a shot in the air after which they robbed him of his belongings before they disappeared into a nearby bushy area.

The court was told that the three accused also robbed two Harare motorists, who were traveling to Beitbridge en route to South Africa, of a JVC car radio, two cell phones and some cash on the same day.

The accused, who are suspected to be operating as a syndicate and targeting motorists, were arrested at Dulibadzimu suburb in Beitbridge, following a public tip-off. Two loaded 9mm pistols were also recovered from the trio during the arrest.