NUMBER OF SUSPECTS NABBED IN CHIVAYO’S IN-LAWS FARM ROBBERY RISES TO 18
Zvikomborero Parafini
THREE more suspected armed robbers, who are believed to be part of a gang which attacked businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s inlaws’ farm in Marondera, appeared in court yesterday, raising the number of suspects to 18.
Shingirai Bhaureni, Dave Saurombe and Munyaradzi Chakanetsa appeared before Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa who remanded them in custody.
They were advised to approach the High Court for bail considerations.
The court heard that on March 18, at around 1am, the trio and their accomplices organised themselves and went to Alpha and Omega farm in Marondera.
They were armed with three rifles, two pistols, two bolt cutters, machetes and iron bars.
Upon their arrival, they confronted Petros Mabunhu, a security guard employed by DM security and they assaulted him with iron bars.
They allegedly demanded to know the whereabouts of the other guards on duty.
They tied his hands and legs with cable ties.
They marched him into the yard where they confronted Mutasa Rusike, who is employed at the farm as the internal security guard, and they disarmed him of his CBC shotgun, which had no rounds.
They tied his hands and force marched him to the front guardroom.
They also confronted Medic Zhakata, who is also employed by DM Security, and struck him several times on the head with iron bars before they tied his hands and legs with cable ties.
Two of the guards were left under the guard of two armed robbers as the rest force marched the other security guard to the main house.
The robbers cut the key on the anti burglary screen with a bolt cutter, forced open the main door and entered the house.
They forced open the interior kitchen door and marched the guard to Gerald Muteke’s bedroom where they demanded cash from him.
Fearing for his life, Muteke surrendered cash US$18,000, a Sarsilmaz pistol loaded with eight rounds, a Samsung S23 and a Samsung S24.
They then demanded to be shown the safe and, on their way, they passed through Vimbai Muteke’s bedroom.
They demanded cash and the safe keys and she surrendered US$1,000, a Chubb safe key and a Samsung Galaxy A35 without a sim card.
They took her to the main bedroom where she opened the safe and surrendered US$55,000.
Elphas Maruta, who was armed with a 303 rifle loaded with four rounds, got information of the robbery and advanced towards the house and fired two shots towards the robbers who fired back before they fled from the scene with the stolen property.
The total value stolen is US$85 558 and cash and property valued at US$6 300 was recovered.
The trio is also accused of robbing Cossam Siminya on February 25.
They allegedly broke into his Zengeza 4 residence and found him sleeping with his wife.
Lancelot Mutsokoti appeared for the State.
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