admin
Crime Reporter
THREE men suspected of being the gang of armed robbers raiding houses in Harare during the night before robbing and raping some of the occupants have been arrested.
The three are Tobias Gijima (25), Akim Tadiwa (28) and Takudzwa Ndawana (26) and they are still assisting police with investigations.
They were arrested by a team of detectives from the CID Homicide following intensive investigations.
In one of the cases, the three last month raided company premises in Waterfalls where they attacked a security guard during the night before stealing various equipment and goods but they did not find any cash.
They left a note stating: “Next time you should leave some cash or else we will follow you at your houses and rob you.”
On November 19, the three raided a house in Marimba Park where they stole US$10 and various electrical gadgets, which they loaded into a Toyota Wish belonging to one of the victims and raped a 23-year-old woman and fled. The vehicle was discovered dumped in Chitungwiza area a few days later.
The gang also raided another house in Waterfalls where they robbed six people of a Toyota Hiace and various groceries before raping one of the occupants.
Investigations have also revealed that they also raided Rainham Farm where they stole some guns, cellphones and various clothes.
The gang also stole a truck at the farm which they used to load their loot and disappeared.
Their luck ran out when they were arrested by the police in the city following such reports.
The three have now appeared in court and have been remanded in custody to January 10.
Giving details in the court before Harare magistrate Mrs Tafadzwa Miti on the raid in the Waterfalls house, where they stole property and cash totalling US$14 287, Mr Anesu Chirenje for the State said that early in the morning of November 21, the three, in the company of two men only identified as Jah and Moyo, who are still at large, armed themselves with two pistols, bolt cutter and hammer went to Emojen Chirwa’s home in Harare.
They broke two precast wall panels, entered her room and stole a 48 inch TV, blankets, speakers and a satchel which they loaded into the getaway vehicle.
They then forced entry into Eunice Saratiya’s bedroom, manhandled her before they broke into Hazel Marufu’s room.
They dragged Marufu into Saratiya’s bedroom and left one of them on guard and went upstairs where they manhandled Ronnie Chihota and stole his US$1 400, two television sets, and some clothes.
They then dragged Chihota to Saratiya’s room where they ordered the four to lie on their stomachs while threatening them with pistols. Two of them plugged an iron and burnt Chihota on his buttocks demanding more money, the court was told.
One of the three asked where Congolese nationals stayed and were shown. While one guarded the four at gunpoint, the rest went to fetch Callixte Nsabimana and Jenifer Shima who were also robbed of US$1 500.
They demanded keys to a Toyota Hiace which they used to ferry their loot and drove to Chitungwiza where they dumped the six.
Meanwhile, police are still looking for four armed robbers, including two women, who robbed a motorist of his Honda CRV vehicle, two cellphones and US$50 after being offered a lift in Harare last Monday night.
The four robbers were offered a lift near Boka Auction Floor to Southlea Park in Harare. Along the way, the gang manhandled the motorist before robbing him and dumped him. A report was then made to the police who are still looking for the robbers.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “The ZRP is still investigating a robbery case which occurred at Marirangwe turn off along Simon Mazorodze Road, Harare on December 13, 2021, where a 48-year-old man lost a Honda CRV vehicle registration number ACV 5783, two cellphones and a wallet containing US$50, after he offered a lift to two men and two women at Boka Auction Floors on the pretext that they were going to Southlea Park. “Anyone with information to contact any nearest Police Station.”
Online Reporter