Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
FOUR men allegedly posed as police officers and went on a robbery spree in which motorists were allegedly handcuffed, threatened with a pistol and robbed of more than US$168,000.
Trust Jimu (37), Tawanda Musendo (36), Evans Chimunsi (46) and Tafadzwa Matigimu (34) appeared before Harare regional magistrate, Marehwanazvo Gofa, facing three counts of armed robbery.
They were advised to apply for bail at the High Court and were remanded in custody to October 22.
The court heard that the gang, allegedly working with an accomplice who is still at large, would target motorists, accuse them of dangerous parking and then handcuff and rob them.
Prosecutor Lawrence Gangarahwe alleged that on April 26, at around 5:20pm, the gang targeted Tonderai Makaluwa and Nyasha Chiponda, who were seated in a Toyota Auris parked at the corner of Third Street and Josiah Chinamano Street.
The accused allegedly introduced themselves as police officers and accused the pair of dangerous parking before ordering them to open the vehicle doors. They allegedly handcuffed the two and searched their vehicle, discovering a satchel containing cash.
The court heard that they then accused the pair of money laundering and forced them into the back seat.
One of the accused allegedly drove off, claiming they were taking the two to CID Headquarters to surrender the money. Instead, they allegedly drove around the city before stopping near the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission offices along Herbert Chitepo Avenue.
One of the complainants was allegedly dumped outside after being told he was being taken into the ZACC offices. The accused allegedly continued driving 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.
The gang allegedly stopped along the expressway, stole a bag containing US$164,192 and abandoned the complainant before driving away.
The matter was reported to the police.
In another incident, the accused allegedly targeted Oliver Tsongorera on July 15 at 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.
