Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
A Mutare man has been sentenced to an effective 21 years in prison for his involvement in armed robberies, including the theft of US$108 000 from a Chinese-owned company in Ruwa.
Gabriel Mukambachaza was convicted of three counts of armed robbery, attempted robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful purchase and possession of explosives.
For the armed robbery, Mukambachaza was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with two years suspended on condition that he restitutes US$103 000 by December 17.
He was sentenced to 11 years for attempted robbery, while the remaining counts attracted three years, resulting in an effective 21-year prison term.
Prosecutor Ms Mercy Masamvi told the court that Mukambachaza and five accomplices hatched a plan to rob Kurima Centre in Msasa on September 12, 2026.
The group, armed with firearms, scaled the perimeter wall and entered the premises. A Securico security guard deployed at the centre, Saymore Mudziwepasi, and his colleague, Ibraham Milanzi, noticed the suspects.
Milanzi fired a warning shot into the air, but the gang allegedly continued with the robbery attempt and broke into offices.
However, they failed to steal anything after a Safeguard reaction team responded to alarms triggered during the break-in.
The gang fled, and a report was filed with the ZRP Rhodesville.
Mukambachaza was later arrested in connection with another matter at CID Homicide in Harare, where investigations linked him to the attempted robbery.
He subsequently made positive indications at the scene.
The court also heard that on September 13, 2026, Mukambachaza and his accomplices targeted Xinda Castings at Number 36158 Borders Estate, Ruwa.
They were armed with firearms, iron bars and machetes before scaling the company’s perimeter wall. The gang allegedly took helmets and work suits from a workshop and wore them to disguise themselves as employees.
They then attacked two workers who were in a toilet, with one managing to escape and raise the alarm. The gang proceeded to the company’s residence, where they allegedly assaulted Chinese businessman Zhang Linge and demanded cash before ransacking the premises.
They stole a satchel containing US$108 000. As they fled, alert employees confronted them and began throwing stones. Tinei Makaripe was arrested at the scene, while the others escaped.
Investigations led to the arrest of Mukambachaza, who was found at his rural home in Rusape.
Police recovered US$5 000, a Star pistol loaded with one round, a Tokarev pistol loaded with seven rounds, handcuffs, five fused cables, five detonator emulates and three balaclavas.
US$4 900 was also recovered from an accomplice, bringing the total recovered to US$9 900.
Mukambachaza failed to produce a valid certificate or authority allowing him to possess the firearms and ammunition.
