MONEY HEIST

CAN WICKNELL’S US$100K CASH REWARD CRACK A CARTEL OF CRIMINALS?

A security expert tells H-Metro the chances are very good. He says the big number of the gang could be its weakness.

H-Metro Reporter

WHAT chances do Wicknell have to ensure that the US$100,000 carrot, which he has dangled on anyone who comes with information which can lead to the arrest of the criminal gang which raided his in-laws farm in the early hours of yesterday, can make the difference?

A pretty good chance, said a security specialist who chose not to be named.

Why does he have a good chance here?

“Well, it’s the amount of money which he has offered, it’s huge by any standards and in any country in the world and it has the power to make people act and that provides hope,” he said.

“The second thing is the size of the gang which attacked the farm.

“When you look at armed gangs which raid premises, usually you are talking of four or five people.

“The reason for that is that the gang members know that the bigger the gang then the better the chances for one of them to act in a funny way and raise suspicion and it will all come down on them.

“It’s hard if not impossible to control the behaviour of 10 people, let alone 20 people who were said to have been involved in this raid.

“Remember these guys also have families and friends and it’s easy for someone close to them to see that something has changed because money changes people.

“Now, you have this US$100,000 reward, it is enticing and people can betray their friends, even their relatives and that is why I say that the chances could be good.”

He added the gang could also fall out over dividends.

“When you have a 20-member gang and you steal US$74,000, it’s quite a problem to share such an amount to the satisfaction of everyone.

“My gut feelings were that they were so sure there was, at least, US$250,000 at the farm.

“If they divide their loot equally, every member will get US$3,700 each and that is not a good hit for such a big and dangerous raid.

“And when, on the other hand, you have a US$100,000 reward hanging out there, people can really betray each other.

“Even a member of this gang can be the one who breaks them.”

Police have launched an investigation into the robbery case.

The gang was armed with three rifles, two pistols, two bolt cutters, machetes and iron bars.

They raided three bedrooms and most of the loot was stolen from the main bedroom at the farm.

In a Facebook post, Chivayo said:

“It is with UTMOST REGRET that I share a very UNFORTUNATE incident that occurred at my in-laws’ residence in Marondera during the early hours of this morning, 18th March 2025.

“According to information confirmed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police, a case of armed robbery.

“It is under investigation involving 20 suspects who UNLAWFULLY gained access to my in-law’s residence at Alpha Omega Farm and stole a significant sum of MONEY and various valuable items.

“I STRONGLY CONDEMN such cowardly criminal conduct and kindly request the public to cooperate with the police by providing any information that could lead to the identification and arrest of these offenders.”

He added:

“To support this PUBLIC effort , I am offering a reward of US$100,000 in hard CASH to anyone who will provide CREDIBLE informationleading to the positive IDENTIFICATION of ANY or ALL of these SHAMELESS robbers , their residential locations or other significant particulars and ultimately their ARREST.