Zvikomborero Parafini
A 33-YEAR-OLD Seke man has is being accused of being involved in 10 counts of armed robbery involving property worth more than US$23,000.
The property was stolen during a string of raids around Harare.
Chamunorwa Takawira appeared before Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa yesterday and was remanded in custody to October 27.
Lawrence Gangarahwe prosecuted.
The State alleges Takawira was part of a gang which targeted homes in different Harare suburbs between July and September this year.
They allegedly used pistols and other weapons to subdue occupants before stealing cash, electronic gadgets and other valuables.
His arrest followed investigations arising from the arrest of his suspected accomplice, Chiedza Jamombe, on September 30.
The State alleges Jamombe’s arrest led to the recovery of some stolen property and that during investigations, she implicated Takawira and her husband, John Nhira, who is still at large.
Police allegedly received information on Saturday that Takawira was at his home in Kuora Village, Chief Seke, leading to his arrest.
In one of the robberies on July 22, Takawira and his accomplices are accused of forcing their way into an Ashdown Park house while armed with a pistol.
They allegedly assaulted the occupant before stealing US$1,200, a Tokarev pistol, cellphones, a generator, speakers, microphones, groceries and other items of property.
On August 3, Takawira, Jamombe and other suspected accomplices are accused of raiding a house in Cold Comfort while armed with a pistol, machete and claw bar.
The gang allegedly stole cash in United States dollars and Tanzanian shillings, laptops, cellphones, clothes, shoes and other property.
The State alleges that during another raid on August 6, the gang broke into a Houghton Park home and demanded cash from the occupant.
They allegedly made off with about US$3,000 in cash, several cellphones, laptops, watches, kitchen knives and other valuables.
Takawira is also accused of participating in a September 1 robbery in which a gang allegedly broke into a house armed with two pistols, a machete and an iron bar.
The robbers allegedly stole US$3,620, cellphones, clothes and other property before loading the loot into a Honda Fit parked at the premises and driving away.
Another raid occurred in Madokero on September 12, where the gang allegedly forced its way into a house armed with a pistol and iron bars and stole US$1,700 and several cellphones.
The State says the 10 alleged robberies involved property valued at approximately US$23,260, of which property worth about US$180 was recovered.
Prosecutors opposed bail, arguing that Takawira was a flight risk and could interfere with witnesses or link up with alleged accomplices who remain at large.
