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THREE of the six armed robbers that pounced at Chitora Farm and escaped with 20 tobacco bales worth $15 000 were arrested last week in the process of selling them at Chidziva Tobacco Processors.
The three, Heights Madekwa (35), Angeline Jimu (28) and Costa Chidungu (30) were arraigned before Rusape provincial magistrate, Mr Shingi Mutiro, last Friday, facing armed robbery charges as defined in Section 26, of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Mr Mutiro remanded the trio in custody to July 30 after prosecutor Ms Event Dhliwayo had opposed bail.
Mrs Dhliwayo told the court that the three, together with their co-accused who are fugitives from justice armed themselves with four guns, knives and a bolt cutter and pounced at Chitora Farm owned by businessman, Mr Fungai Makoni.
The armed robbers allegedly cowed the security guard, Never Makora into submission after threatening to shot him. When the guard surrendered, they allegedly 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 suspects were allegedly assigned to keep guard on him while the other four loaded 20 bales into a getaway vehicle.
The 20 bales weighed 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.
The armed robbers were allegedly arrested while trying to sell their loot at the same tobacco contracting firm.
The stolen bales were positively identified by Mr Makoni.
Clinical tests also confirmed that the recovered tobacco was grown at Mr Makoni’s farm.
The robbery was masterminded on July 5, around 2am.
Mr Makoni had put up a $1 000 reward for anyone with information leading to the arrest of the suspects.
Tobacco farmers have been urged to enhance their security at night.
Online Reporter