ZNA Breaks Silence on Rogue Members Involved in Armed Robberies
The net has closed in on a gang of armed robbers terrorizing Harare’s upmarket residents and fuel stations, with four Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) officers among those apprehended. Corporals Owen Mbayi, 37, and Simbarashe Vhazhure, 33, as well as Sergeants Promise Mussa, 36, and Farai Chauke, 38, appeared before Harare magistrate Taurai Manuwere facing five armed robbery counts each.
According to court proceedings on Tuesday, the suspects, part of a notorious gang of nine, allegedly carried out a series of armed robberies resulting in a loot of over US$150,000. The charges against them include armed robbery counts related to incidents targeting residents and fuel stations in Harare.
During their court appearance, the suspects were not required to enter pleas and were remanded in custody pending a bail application at the High Court. Their next court appearance is scheduled for May 2.
The other suspects involved in the case are Innocent Chawaguta, Tafadzwa Chirinda Charute, Tapiwa Chigwaze, Winston Matizanadzo, and Kamuriwo Mudziwaona. All suspects are currently in custody awaiting trial, while additional individuals identified as Rasta, Chivhu, Mupostori, Tinashe, and T1 are still at large.
The arrests followed a recent robbery at a residence in the Grange area, where valuables totaling US$650 in cash, laptops, and cellphones were stolen from Miriam Ratisai and her son on April 13. The police, aided by tracking technology, located stolen items, including an iPad with a tracker activated by Ratisai’s son, at the residence of Innocent Chawaguta in Seke Chitungwiza.
Upon investigation, Chawaguta’s girlfriend, Melody Mudzimurema, informed the police that the recovered goods belonged to her boyfriend, leading to his arrest. Chawaguta then cooperated with the authorities, leading to the arrest of other gang members, including Charute and Mbayi.
In the initial armed robbery count, the gang allegedly stole over US$140,000 in cash and valuables from J and P security in Eastlea, an incident widely reported approximately two years ago. The gang reportedly scaled a precast wall to gain entry into the J and P premises during the robbery.
The case underscores ongoing efforts by law enforcement to curb criminal activities and apprehend individuals involved in organized crime, particularly in areas where armed robberies have been a persistent threat to residents and businesses.
“The accused persons were seen on the CCTV by Hardlife Matare and Nyasha Severa who were manning the control room and when Hardlife Matare walked out to check what was happening he was confronted by the accused persons all armed with pistols and some with riffles,” said prosecutor Anesu Chirenje.
The accused forcibly restrained the complainants and other staff members, physically handling them before binding their hands and legs and confining them in a restroom. It is alleged that the group then obtained access to the strong room by taking the keys and proceeded to steal cash that had been amassed from numerous clients for cash-in-transit services.
“A reaction team comprising of two details Maxwell Mhuru and Tafirenyika Chabata arrived at the scene from patrol and they were manhandled by the accused and locked together with others,” the court further heard.
