Bongani Q Moyo
Two Harare men have each been sentenced to an effective nine years in prison for robbing a Mukuru Money Transfer branch at gunpoint at Zuva Service Station in Mabelreign.
Tanaka Java, 42, and Ronald Rupare, 28, were convicted by the Harare Magistrates Court following the robbery, which occurred around midday on February 7, 2026.
The court heard that the duo, acting in cahoots with an accomplice who remains at large, ambushed a female teller as she returned from the toilet. The suspects confronted her at the back door, threatened her with a firearm and ordered her to open the safe.
The robbers fled with US$5,631 and R26,600 in cash.
However, their escape was short-lived after a worker from a nearby business gave chase while calling for assistance, prompting members of the public to join the pursuit.
Java was apprehended by members of the public, who recovered a balaclava and R10,000 in cash from him. Rupare was later arrested by two police officers who were on patrol. The suspects and recovered cash were subsequently handed over to the police.
The robbery was captured on CCTV footage, which formed part of the evidence against the two men.
The court sentenced both offenders to 12 years’ imprisonment each, with two years suspended for five years on condition that they do not commit a similar offence.
A further year was suspended on condition that each offender restitutes Mukuru US$2,815.50 and R8,300, leaving each with an effective nine-year prison term.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) has reiterated that armed robbery is a serious criminal offence that carries severe consequences, urging businesses and members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspected criminal activity to the police.
