Zvikomborero Parafini
A 49-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man already in remand prison facing pending robbery charges has appeared in court facing three fresh armed robbery charges involving thousands of dollars in cash and property.
Dingani Mpofu appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Marewanazvo Gofa yesterday after police allegedly linked him to a series of armed robberies committed with accomplices.
The State alleges that Mpofu was implicated by Witness Hlongwane, an alleged accomplice who was arrested on September 25 in connection with the robberies.
In one of the cases, Mpofu and his alleged accomplices are accused of raiding a cottage in Eastlea, Harare, at around 10pm on June 29 while armed with two pistols and wearing balaclavas.
The gang allegedly jumped over a precast wall before approaching the cottage and pointing a pistol through a bedroom window at an occupant.
They allegedly manhandled the occupant and forced him to accompany them to nearby offices, where they forced open the main door.
The robbers allegedly ordered him to lie on the floor before breaking into a storeroom and stealing a Chubb safe containing US$5 000, three vehicle keys, four vehicle registration books, a panic button, and a title deed.
The gang allegedly loaded the safe onto a cart found at the premises before abandoning it about 200 metres from the scene. Police later recovered the safe in Epworth, together with property valued at US$2 422, but the cash was missing.
In another incident on July 1, Mpofu and his alleged accomplices, armed with rifles and pistols, allegedly raided N. Richards Graniteside in Harare.
They allegedly subdued a security guard and a truck driver, tied them up, and covered the driver’s head before one of the robbers remained behind to guard them while the others proceeded to the cash office.
The gang allegedly used explosives to blow open a safe and stole US$39,888, ZWG74,270, R750, whisky, and soft drinks before escaping in a getaway vehicle.
Police recovered live ammunition, damaged explosive material, and capped fuses at the scene, but none of the money allegedly stolen has been recovered.
Police said Mpofu was already in custody facing other pending robbery charges when Hlongwane allegedly implicated him in the fresh cases.
The State opposed bail, arguing that Mpofu faces serious charges, could abscond, and might interfere with investigations because some of his alleged accomplices remain at large.
Prosecutors also said some of the stolen property and a firearm allegedly used in the robberies are yet to be recovered.
