DYNAMOS football player, Murape Murape who allegedly robbed a shopkeeper of US$100, yesterday appeared in court to answer to robbery charges.

Murape (31) denied the charges when his trial started before Chitungwiza magistrate Ms Olivia Mariga.

Allegations against Murape arose on December 22 last year at around 5.30pm when he was at Fake Dealer Wholesalers in Zengeza 2, Chitungwiza.
Francisca Madondo and her husband own the shop.

Murape was in the company of his brother George Murape when they entered the shop to buy a crate of soft drinks.

He paid US$12 and was asked to go and collect the drinks at the back of the shop, it is alleged.

Two minutes later Murape and his brother allegedly returned inside the shop complaining that the drinks were not cold.
Madondo told them that cold drinks were being sold at a higher price of US$14 and was asked to add another US$2.

This, it is alleged, did not go down well with Murape who suddenly became violent and demanded his money back.

He shouted at the woman telling her to stop patronising with him.

At that moment, he walked through the counter to where she was standing.

Murape allegedly got hold of her hand, snatched the money and walked out of the premises shouting obscenities.
Madondo, who was once a victim of robbery last year, was shocked, it is alleged.

She reportedly failed to take action and was helped by two children who also wanted buy drinks.

They noted down the registration number of Murape's car as he drove off.

Murape was later informed to report at St Mary's police station where he was arrested.

In his defence, the soccer star denied the charges, claiming the woman fabricated the allegations to tarnish his image.

"Your worship, the woman is lying that I took US$100 from her, instead I only took my money that I had given to her for the transaction." 

But Madondo disputed Murape's defence saying the soccer star was drunk and uncontrollable when he committed the crime.

The State led evidence from an 11-year-old boy that witnessed the incident. 

The boy narrated that Murape took the money and drove off at a high speed. 

After hearing evidence in the matter Mrs Mariga remanded Murape out of custody on his own recognition to January 6 for judgment.
Mrs Caroline Kugarakuripi represented the State.

By Staff reporter and agencies