Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
Court Reporter
A SUSPECTED armed robber linked to a string of violent raids, including the theft of US$108 000 from a Ruwa company, has appeared in court after police allegedly tracked him to his hideout while he was nursing four gunshot wounds.
William Sanyanga Shereni Manase (32) appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Marewanazvo Gofa facing armed robbery and attempted armed robbery allegations.
He was remanded in custody pending the finalisation of investigations and was advised to approach the High Court for bail consideration.
Mr Lawrence Gangarahwe prosecuted. The State alleges that Manase was part of a gang that targeted Xinda Castings in Ruwa on September 13, where the robbers allegedly scaled a precast wall while armed with pistols.
Once inside the premises, the gang allegedly entered a changing room and put on company work suits and helmets to disguise themselves as employees.
It is alleged that they then captured two workers who had gone to the toilet and force-marched them to the offices.
The gang allegedly broke into an office, demanded cash and ransacked the premises before escaping with a satchel containing US$108 000.
Their escape, however, was allegedly disrupted when other workers raised the alarm and began throwing stones at them as they attempted to scale the perimeter wall using a metal ladder.
One of the alleged robbers, who was running behind the others, was reportedly struck with a brick, fell to the ground and was apprehended by workers.
Police allege that the arrested suspect subsequently implicated Manase and other alleged accomplices.
According to the State, detectives later spotted Manase driving a Toyota Vitz on September 15 as he arrived at his parents’ residence.
Upon seeing detectives, he allegedly jumped into a neighbouring property and fled, prompting officers to give chase and fire shots in his direction.
Police allegedly observed a trail of blood along his escape route but failed to locate him that day.
On September 21, detectives reportedly received information that Manase was hiding in Murisa Park, Seke, while nursing gunshot wounds.
He was subsequently arrested and police said they established that he had four gunshot wounds.
The State further alleges that Manase is linked to an attempted robbery at Kurima Centre in Msasa on September 12, where a gang armed with a pistol, iron bars, machetes and a bolt cutter allegedly scaled a wall and broke into several offices.
Security guards reportedly fired warning shots, but the gang allegedly continued breaking into the offices before fleeing empty-handed when a reaction team arrived.
Court papers also link Manase and co-accused Gabriel Mukambachaza (42) to two earlier armed robberies.
In one incident, the pair and their alleged accomplices are accused of raiding Africa Steel in Southerton on March 12, where they allegedly confronted and disarmed security guards before blasting open safes and stealing US$14 118.
They are also accused of robbing a service station in Glaudina on June 22, where a gang allegedly confronted workers and a security guard before stealing a cellphone, baton, pepper spray, fuel coupons and about US$500.
Police say investigations into the alleged robberies are continuing.
