adminCrime Reporter
TOBACCO farmers have become the latest victims of organised and daring criminal syndicates after two commercial farmers in Makoni lost flue-cured tobacco worth thousands of dollars to armed robbers who pounced using the same modus operandi.
On Sunday, six suspects armed with guns, knives and a bolt cutter pounced at Chitora Farm owned by Mr Fungai Makoni and escaped with 20 bales weighing 2 650kg of first grade tobacco worth at least $15 000. Each bale weighed 130kg.
Mr Makoni produced his crop under contract farming with Chidziwa – where he was selling the golden leaf for $5,60 per kilogramme.
“Six men, armed with guns, knives and a bolt cutter pounced at Chirora Farm around 2am on Sunday and cowed the security guard, Never Makora into submission after threatening to shot him. When the guard surrendered, the armed robbers handcuffed him.
“They demanded to be shown around and went on to tie the guard on a tree in a nearby thicket. Two of the criminals were assigned to watch over him while the other four loaded 20 bales into a vehicle,” said acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Luxson Chananda.
When The Manica Post visited Chirora Farm on Monday, the workers looked disturbed and traumatised.
The incident has raised more questions than answers among workers, with some raising strong suspicions that it could have been an inside job.
“These were not experienced robbers. From the look of it, there was an insider. There are various security check points and considering that it was at night, the security personnel should have smelt a rat when the vehicle drove to and fro the barns.
“You cannot have a vehicle with strangers passing through check points without smelling a rat,” said one worker who refused to be named.
Mr Makoni has put up a $1000 reward for anyone with information leading to the arrest of the suspects.
“That was first grade tobacco, which we are selling at $5, 60. It was top quality, and obviously we are disturbed by the incident. The guards are traumatised.
“I have put a $1 000 reward for anyone who can volunteer information to the police. They should contact CID Rusape or any nearest police station,” said Mr Makoni. Prior to the attack at Mr Makoni’s farm, the gang on July 1, 2015 pounced at Everton Farm in Nyazura – which belongs to Mrs Mary Kadiriri and rounded up guards before escaping with 1 500kg of bailed tobacco valued at $7 500. At Everton Farm, the gang allegedly rounded up two guards, Farai Moyowatidi (20) and Coden Chikomo (15) who were asleep and demanded to be shown the grading shades.
The incident happened between 2 and 3am. The tobacco shade doors were unlocked. “The guards were caught asleep. The criminals tied their hands using a rope.
They took $100 from one of the guards before assigning two of them to guard them, while the rest of the gang loaded tobacco into a white vehicle that was parked outside the shades,” said Asst Insp Chananda.
He said tobacco farmers should enhance their security at night.
“Tobacco farmers are the latest victims or organised crime syndicates in Manicaland and we are urging them to enhance the security of their valuable properties at night.
“There are some criminals on the loose, and they should liaise with their nearest police stations so that they can quickly raise alarm with them.
Online Reporter