Armed gang robbers busted

Zvikomborero Parafini

A five-member armed gang of robbers was hauled to court over the weekend for robbing Good Hope Farm.

Godknows Mukavi, Yuda Kampira, who is also known as Charles Mandizvidza or Brian Dzvokora, Munyaradzi Gumbo, Tatenda Madzudzo and Happiness Mutsago appeared before Harare magistrate Vongai Guwuriro.

They were remanded in custody and advised to approach the High Court for bail. Allegations are that on February 13 at around 2pm, Mukavi hired a Hino Dutro truck at N Richards along Bulawayo Road being driven by Newmer Mutandwa pretending to be a genuine client intending to carry potatoes from Good Hope Farm to Mbare Musika.

Along the way, Mukavi reportedly told Mutandwa to stop the truck after spotting his accomplices standing by the roadside just after the Westgate shops.

As soon as they got into the truck, Kampita produced a pistol, handcuffed the driver and blindfolded him with a piece of cloth. They bundled him into the container of the truck and took his phone and US$20.

The gang drove towards Good Hope Farm and picked up other members of the gang along the way.

On arrival at the farm, the gang introduced themselves as police officers to the farm security officer, Thomas Mukachana. They told him that they were on an operation targeting illegal drug dealers and had information that the farm owner was dealing in dangerous drugs.

Mukachana notified the farm manager, Thomas Kawanji, who came to the gate to meet the gang.

As soon as he arrived, one of the robbers produced a pistol and they manhandled the two. They searched Mukachana and took two cellphones, and US$1 500 from Kawanji.

Thy tied them up and force marched them into the container of the truck.

They then ordered the farm manager to contact his employer notifying him that they were at the farm, but he did not answer his cellphone and instead texted saying he was in a meeting.

After seeing the message, the gang drove off and dumped the three complainants and the lorry at Africa Unity Square in the CBD at around 11pm.

The complainants then made a report at Harare Central Police Station.

Mukavi was arrested after being tracked through one of the victims’ cellphones that he was using.

He implicated his accomplices who were arrested at Mbare Musika in a bus.