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Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
THE recent theft of a safe containing US$25 000 in Rusape was an inside job in which the company’s relative connived with an employee to supply information to robbers that executed the heist.
After the hit, the robbers hired an electric grinder at Gaza Business Centre in Buhera to open the stolen safe and retrieve the cash.
The welder who grinded the safe was paid a paltry US$5.
The robbery occurred after midnight on February 12 at Rusape Steel Products after the security guard — Mr Clyde Nyamanyunzu (25) — who was manning the gate was ambushed and handcuffed by three robbers covering their faces with balaclavas.
Mr Nyamanyunzu tried to resist and was hit with an iron bar on the head.
His mouth and eyes were gagged with a cellotape before being tucked under a parked lorry.
Two suspects used iron bars to forcibly open the cash office door and stole the safe containing US$25 000 and drove away.
A dragnet squad from CID Rusape last week arrested Clive Mabukwa (34), Simbarashe Mutamiri (44), Jusice Musa (43), all from Chinamano Village in Dema.
The trio implicated Peter Zacharia (29) of Vengere, Rusape.
Zacharia was employed by the company as a general hand.
He was paid US$2 000 for supplying information.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said police detectives are looking for Fungai Magaya, a close relative of the complainant (Mr Naison Sanaco) who is now a fugitive from justice.
Zacharia and Magaya allegedly supplied information to the robbers.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said Tatenda Madawu of Madawu General Dealer was randomly picked to grind the safe open and was paid US$5.
During indications, Madawu positively identified the three suspects who brought the safe for grinding while Mr Sanaco positively identified the vandalised safe.
“The accused persons led detectives to the recovery of the safe 20km from Gaza Business Centre along the Gaza-Sadza-Wedza Road. Musa led detectives to his home in Dema where a Toyota Super Custom (ADN1910) used in the heist was recovered, while Mabukwa showed the detectives a BMW (ADW 2286) he had purchased using the stolen money.
“The vehicle was recovered as an exhibit. Nothing was recovered from Mutamiri who claimed that he had spent all the cash on a stand and building materials. Zacharia was later arrested in Rusape and nothing was recovered from him,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
Meanwhile, detectives in Rusape last week fired shots at suspected criminals who were spotted changing registration plates on a silver Toyota Hilux.
The detectives intercepted the vehicle at ZRP Rusape, but the vehicle sped off.
“The vehicle drove towards Harare and stopped at the 170km peg to pick a passenger suspected to be part of the syndicate. Police tried to block the vehicle and ordered the driver to stop, but he failed to comply, which prompted them to fire warning shots.
“The vehicle was shot on the bonnet during the chase. The suspects abandoned the vehicle after a 4km chase as it had started leaking radiator water and power steering oil. The suspects disappeared into the bush,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
The recovered vehicle, registration (AFN 3985) belonged to Elite Car Hire of Number 95, Belvedere, Harare.
Two laptops, registration plate number ADR1860 and a small sharp iron bar were recovered from the truck.
The registration number ADR1860 was checked and was not found in the system.
One of the laptops was reportedly stolen from a motor vehicle.
Online Reporter