Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo-Court Correspondent
FOUR men allegedly masquerading as police officers and targeting motorists in Harare’s central business district have appeared in court facing three counts of armed robbery involving more than US$168 000.
Trust Jimu (37), Tawanda Musendo (36), Evans Chimunsi (46) and Tafadzwa Matigimu (34) appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa.
They were advised to apply for bail at the High Court and remanded in custody to October 22. Prosecutor Mr Lawrence Gangarahwe alleged that the four, acting in connivance with an accomplice who is still at large, posed as police officers before handcuffing and robbing unsuspecting motorists.
The court heard that on April 26, at around 5.20pm, the accused allegedly targeted Tonderai Makaluwa and Nyasha Chiponda, who were seated in a Toyota Auris parked at the corner of Third Street and Josiah Chinamano Street in Harare.
The accused allegedly introduced themselves as police officers and accused the complainants of dangerous parking before ordering them to open the vehicle doors.
They allegedly handcuffed the complainants and searched the vehicle, where they discovered a satchel containing a large amount of cash.
The court heard that the accused then accused the complainants of money laundering and forced them into the back seat of the vehicle.
One of the accused allegedly drove the vehicle, claiming they were taking the complainants to CID Headquarters to surrender the money.
Instead, they allegedly drove around the city before stopping near the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) offices along Herbert Chitepo Avenue. One of the complainants was allegedly removed from the vehicle on the pretext that he was being taken into the ZACC offices, but was dumped outside the premises.
The accused allegedly drove away with the second complainant towards Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo Expressway, formerly Airport Road.
Along the way, one of the accused allegedly produced a pistol and pointed it at the complainant while accusing him of committing a serious offence.
They allegedly stopped along Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo Expressway and stole a bag containing US$164 192 before abandoning the complainant and driving away.
The matter was later reported to the police.
In the second count, the accused allegedly targeted Oliver Tsongorera on July 15, around 6pm while he was seated in a Volvo parked at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Josiah Tongogara Avenue.
They allegedly introduced themselves as police officers, accused him of dangerous parking and handcuffed him before searching his vehicle.
The accused allegedly stole US$700 and demanded more money through EcoCash.
Fearing for his safety, Tsongorera allegedly contacted his friend, Tanaka Musiiwa, who sent him US$550 via EcoCash.
The accused allegedly released him at around 10:30pm after he had withdrawn the money.
On September 10, at around 6:50pm, the accused allegedly struck again, targeting Beniah Muvengwa, who was seated in his Toyota Axio at the corner of Eighth Street and Selous Avenue counting money.
They allegedly accused him of being a thief, handcuffed him and searched his vehicle before stealing US$4 000.
Muvengwa reportedly recorded the registration number of the suspects’ getaway vehicle, a Nissan X-Trail, registration number AHL 2979, and reported the matter at Harare Central Police Station.
The court heard that on October 5, detectives from CID Homicide Harare received information linking the vehicle to Eastview Motors owner Mr Justice Tabarira.
Mr Tabarira allegedly told investigators that he had sold the vehicle to Jimu and provided them with his address.
He later led detectives to Jimu’s rented house in Waterfalls, where he was arrested.
During questioning, Jimu allegedly implicated his co-accused in the commission of the offences.
