Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
THE trial of the 18 men suspected of robbing the in-laws of businessman Wicknell Chivayo, at their Alpha and Omega Farm in Marondera, opened in the capital yesterday.
All the suspects pleaded not guilty before Harare regional magistrate Masaiona Shotgame.
Kelvin Murehwa, Speter Maramba Vhiya, Takudzwa Maisvoreva, Garikayi Shangwa, Temptations Gerald Dinhidza, Starnold Tafireyi, Tawanda Mushayatu, Mike Mhaka, Obvious Mutaka, Kennedy Kuzvinzwa, Adonia Dhliwayo, Charles Chokera, Arnold Mickson Mutinhidza, Shingirai Bhaureni, Stephen Munyaradzi Chakanetsa, Dave Saurombe, Taurai
Mushawemhuka and Felix Marongedze are facing ten counts of robbery.
They all accused the police of brutally assaulting them into submission.
The court heard that on March 18, the gang went to farm at around 1am.
They were armed with three rifles, two pistols, two bolt cutters, machetes and iron bars.
Upon their arrival, they confronted Petros Mabunhu, the security guard employed by DM Security.
They assaulted him with iron bars, demanding to know the whereabouts of the other guards on duty.
They also confronted Medic Zhakata ,who is also employed by DM security as a guard, and struck him several times on the head with iron bars.
They force-marched the guard to Gerald Muteke’s bedroom and demanded money.
He surrendered US$18,000 in cash, a pistol loaded with eight rounds and a Samsung S23.
The robbers then demanded to be shown the safe.
On their way, they passed through Vimbai Muteke’s bedroom where they demanded cash and safe keys and she surrendered US$1,100 cash, a Chub safe key and a Samsung Galaxy A35.
They took her to the main bedroom where she opened the safe and surrendered cash US$55,000.
In another count it is alleged that the gang robbed Cossam Siminya.
They ransacked a room and stole a 49-inch Samsung television set, an itel power bank, an itel S23 cell phone with an Econet line and US$700 cash from her wallet. They went into Siminya’s bedroom, ransacked it and took US$10,000 cash from the wardrobe, an iPhone 14 phone with Econet and Netone lines, a Teno Spark 8 cell phone, a box of cooking oil, a box of Boom washing powder, a case of brown sugar and a small tin with cash US$500 realised from the tuck shop sales.
They went to the lounge and took a 55-inch Samsung TV.
The robbers went to the tuck shop where they confronted Bosco Chidukudze, who severely assaulted, and stole his phone.
The trial resumes today.
