A COURT has heard how a former Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) officer, Criswell Kanyoka, led a gang that terrorized fishermen on Lake Kariba, robbing and kidnapping them.

Kanyoka (26) and his accomplices Munashe Nyanye (25), Archford Mawiranhaka (36), Tanaka Tagara (23), Osamu Chawasiya Nhimura (30) and Joseph Mashakada (25) were convicted of robbery and kidnapping when they appeared at Kariba Magistrates Court this week.

Each offender was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for robbery and three years for kidnapping.

The prosecutor told the court that in December 2025, the gang intercepted a Zambian fishing rig, assaulted three fishermen and stole cellphones and kapenta.

Further, the court heard, the assailants went on to detain the victims on Musampakaruma Island while demanding a ransom of 26,000 Zambian kwacha.

Luckily, the victims were rescued by a joint security operation, leading to the recovery of the fishing rig, speedboat, vehicle, dried kapenta and camouflage clothing.

Following the sentencing, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said it was taking a firm stance against organised crime.

?These convictions underscore the commitment of the courts to decisively deal with organised violent crime, especially offences that endanger lives, violate human dignity and undermine cross border security,? the NPAZ noted.