Zvikomborero Parafini
A MAN, already in remand prison over a number of armed robbery cases, is now facing three fresh armed robbery charges.
The fresh charges involve thousands of dollars in cash and property.
Dingani Mpofu appeared before Harare magistrate, Marewanazvo Gofa, facing the fresh charges after police linked him to a series of armed robberies allegedly committed with accomplices. The State alleges that Mpofu was implicated by Witness Hlongwane, a suspected accomplice, who was arrested on September 25, in connection with the robberies.
In one of the cases, Mpofu and his suspected accomplices, are accused of raiding a cottage in Eastlea, Harare, at around 10pm on June 29.
They were armed with two pistols and wearing balaclavas.
It is alleged that they jumped over a precast wall before approaching the cottage and pointing a pistol through a bedroom window at an occupant.
The gang allegedly manhandled him and forced him to accompany them to nearby offices, where they forced open the main door.
They 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 the cart about 200 metres from the scene.
Police later recovered the dumped 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 Granite in Harare.
They allegedly subdued a security guard and a truck driver, tied them up and covered the truck driver’s head before one of the robbers guarded 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.
None of the money allegedly stolen during the N Richards robbery was recovered.
Police said Mpofu was already in custody over 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 could interfere with investigations as some of his alleged accomplices remain at large.
Police also said some of the stolen property and a firearm allegedly used in the robberies are yet to be recovered.
