A tout involved in the notorious US$720,000 Quest Financial Services robbery was sentenced to 12 years in prison yesterday after pleading guilty to the crime.
Obvious Kuwanza, 28, displayed no emotion as regional magistrate Estere Chivasa delivered the sentence.
The court learned that on February 23, Quest Financial Services Head of Operations, Daniel Mandizvidza, ensured all doors were locked before leaving work.
He secured US$720,676, R10,500, 120 Euros, and other valuables in a vault, assigning private security guard Lancelot Tashayawedu to oversee the property overnight.
Around 1am the next day, Kuwanza and his accomplices, some awaiting trial and others still at large, conspired to rob the premises.
Armed with various weapons, they attacked the sleeping guard in a back room, threatening him with harm if he resisted. They bound his hands and legs, along with his girlfriend’s, using an electric cable.
While one gang member guarded the pair, the others broke into the main office building by using an iron bar to pry open a window.
They blasted open the vault with detonators, stealing US$720,676, R10,500, 120 Euros, and a 7.65mm CZ Vzor pistol.
Police responded to the scene, retrieved CCTV footage, and identified three of Kuwanza’s accomplices—Washington Mangwanda, Brighton Chikukwa, and Silence Matambo—known to a detective familiar with the Mbare area.
A manhunt ensued, leading to Mangwanda’s arrest in Ardbennie, where US$21,000 in cash was recovered.
For comments, Feedback and Opinions do get in touch with our editor on WhatsApp: +27 82 836 5828
