Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
A HARARE man, who is accused of being part of a two-man crew that allegedly preyed on unsuspecting women using a Honda Fit and robbed them of cellphones and cash, has been arrested.
Shackforce Muropa, 30, is facing a string of robbery allegations arising from incidents allegedly committed around Harare.
His suspected accomplice, Robert Gwenda, who is said to have been driving the Honda Fit, is still at large.
Shackforce appeared in court yesterday.
According to the State, the pair allegedly used the vehicle to pick up passengers before employing different tricks to dispossess them of their property.
In several of these incidents, Gwenda would purportedly pretend that the vehicle’s door was difficult to open and instruct passengers to use both hands to push it.
Shackforce, who was allegedly seated next to the passengers, would then take advantage of the distraction to steal cellphones and cash from their bags before Gwenda opened the door and allowed them to disembark.
The State alleges that one woman boarded the vehicle at the corner of Piers and Harare Drive and later discovered that her Samsung A05 cellphone and cash had disappeared after she was made to struggle with the door.
Another woman, who boarded the same vehicle near Drew Road, allegedly lost a cellphone and cash through a similar trick.
In another incident, a woman who boarded the car around Shipstone and Gaydon Roads, was allegedly told that the pair were no longer proceeding into town after Shackforce pretended to receive a telephone call.
She was allegedly refunded her fare and ordered to use both hands to open the door.
While she concentrated on the door, Shackforce allegedly stole her Redmi 14C cellphone and cash.
The State alleges that other passengers were targeted using the similar method, with several stolen cellphones subsequently recovered.
Shackforce is also being accused of using violence in one of the robberies.
It is alleged that he threatened a woman with a blade knife and a taser along ED Mnangagwa and Glenara Roads before stealing her Samsung S22 Ultra and US$100.
The woman allegedly sustained injuries during the incident.
A well-wisher pursued the Honda Fit after the robbery and managed to apprehend Shackforce.
