Businesswoman loses US$26 000 goods

Court Reporter
A Chinese businesswoman lost her vehicle, cash, two guns and jewellery – all worth more than US$26 000 – to five armed robbers who stormed her house in Harare last week.
Three suspects – Martin Jairos Java (61), Davison Tangala (45) and Kudakwashe Choga (29) – were arrested and brought before the courts while their two alleged accomplices, Norman Makuwe and James Nyamweda, are reportedly on the run.
It is alleged that armed with knives and guns, they approached 56-year-old Chen Yan at her house at around 8pm and assaulted her and her maid and gardener.
Chen lost four front teeth and sustained a broken rib during the attack.
Java, Tangala and Choga were not asked to plead to armed robbery charges when they appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Clever Tsikwa who remanded them in custody to March 12 for interim remand.
They were advised to apply for bail at the High Court due to the seriousness of the allegations.
The State alleges that the robbery occurred on February 14.
They allegedly manhandled the gardener, Casper Manyonga, who was in his cottage, and forced him to knock on Chen’s door.
Chen’s maid, the State says, opened the door.
Sensing danger, Chen locked herself in her bedroom but Tangala broke the door open, it is alleged.
The gang, the court heard, assaulted Chen all over the body with blunt objects until she passed out.
They allegedly ransacked the house while Manyonga watched helplessly with their hands tied.
It is alleged the gang stole two CZ pistols, US$2 000, jewellery and a safe containing US$300.
The gang is said to have loaded their loot into Chen’s Honda Civic and drove off.
They allegedly went to Machipisa Shopping Centre, offloaded the goods and dumped the vehicle.
The State says they went to Mukuvisi Woodlands and smashed the safe and took the money that was inside.
Tangala was arrested the following day and he implicated the others, the court was told.