Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka‑Chisepo
Court Correspondent
A suspected armed robber appeared before the Harare Regional Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, facing charges of robbing ABC Auctions of more than US$1 million in cash and jewellery in what is described as a meticulously planned heist.
The accused, Bibience Bondamakara of Ruwa, was arraigned before Magistrate Mrs Learnmore Mapiye on charges of armed robbery.
Prosecutor Mr Kudakwashe Muza alleged that the robbery was carried out on October 8, 2022.
The complainant, Sagitarian Private Limited trading as ABC Auctions, was represented in court by its senior manager, Booysen Danyal Radley.
The court heard that Bondamakara, acting with accomplices, devised a plan to rob the company.
In the early hours of October 8, 2022 at approximately 1am, the gang reportedly scaled the precast wall surrounding the ABC Auctions premises.
Armed with pistols, they approached two security guards, Langton Ziromba and Editor Meda, who were on duty.
The robbers allegedly pointed their weapons at the guards, ordered them to lie down, then tied their hands and legs with shoelaces.
After searching the guards, the assailants took their mobile phones, panic button and bloodhounds.
The robbers then forced one of the guards, Meda, to command the bloodhounds while they broke into the main office block.
Using grinders and explosives, they breached six safes and escaped with US$1 014 000 in cash and jewellery worth US$250 000.
Among the stolen valuables were high‑end watches, gold rings, diamonds, necklaces, gold coins and branded luxury items, including a Rolex Oyster Perpetual 18k gold watch, Cartier fountain pens and a gold link bracelet.
The total value of the stolen goods was put at US$1 264 031.
The court heard that detectives received intelligence on October 11, 2022, linking Bondamakara to a series of robbery cases.
A raid was conducted at his Ruwa home, but the suspect managed to evade arrest.
During the search, conducted in the presence of his wife, Fransisca Marume, police recovered part of the stolen jewellery valued at US$100 656.
After several months on the run, Bondamakara was finally arrested on March 12.
