Four foreign nationals from China, Singapore, and Sierra Leone appeared before a Harare magistrate on Tuesday, facing charges of conspiracy to commit robbery.
The group allegedly targeted a Chinese gold smuggler who was transporting 4kg of gold to Zambia through the Chirundu Border Post.
The suspects, identified as Gohga Kan (34) from Singapore, Wu Ke Wen (35) from China, and Sierra Leonean nationals Aruna Saidu (27) and Foday Kamara (27), were remanded in custody and advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the alleged plot began on February 27, 2025, when Kan approached a local resident, Ozias Matsikete, to discuss plans to rob a vehicle transporting gold from Harare to Zambia. Kan reportedly claimed to have two pistols and sought Matsikete’s assistance in recruiting two more accomplices. However, Matsikete immediately alerted detectives from CID Homicide about the scheme.
Kan later instructed Matsikete to arrange a meeting in Karoi on March 1, where they would scout a suitable location for the ambush. He allegedly chose Karoi due to its proximity to Zambia, where he intended to smuggle the stolen gold.
During this meeting, detectives—posing as accomplices—joined Matsikete in a Mercedes-Benz to meet Kan, who was driving a white Toyota Prado. It was here that Kan revealed the planned ambush site, highlighting that potholes in the area would slow down the target vehicle, making the robbery easier to execute.
On March 8, Kan and Matsikete met again to finalize details, setting March 9 as the day of the heist. At this point, Kan introduced Matsikete to Saidu and Kamara, assuring them he would supply firearms for the operation.
With intelligence in hand, detectives devised a sting operation to prevent the robbery and arrest those involved.
In the early hours of March 9, Kan contacted Matsikete, informing him that they were tailing a Toyota Prado with Zambian registration plates, believed to be carrying gold. Acting swiftly, detectives intercepted the vehicle at Nyabira Tollgate, arresting the driver, Joseph Phiri, and his passenger, Liu Wieqiang.
Kan and Wu were subsequently caught in a Honda Fit, while a search of the Toyota Prado revealed 4.018 kilograms of gold hidden beneath the car radio.
Meanwhile, police in Karoi arrested Saidu and Kamara, recovering two unregistered 9mm firearms believed to have been intended for the robbery.
The suspects are set to appear in court again on March 18 as investigations continue.
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