Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
Three robbers who broke into a Ruwa home and stole nearly US$190 000 before investing the proceeds in properties and vehicles have been jailed.
Blessing Kennes (28), Remember Gladmore Fambauone (25), and Tawanda Jabulani Makumana (31) were convicted of unlawful entry and money laundering by Harare regional magistrate Mrs Feresi Chakanyuka.
Makumana is also a director of Kipepeo Unbound Farming Inputs (Private) Limited
For unlawful entry, Kennes and Makumana were each sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, with two years suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving an effective three-year jail term.
Fambauone, however, received a harsher sentence of 10 years for the same offence. Of this, two years were suspended on condition of good behaviour, while a further five years were suspended on condition that he restitutes US$80 000 to the complainant on or before July 31.
This leaves him with an effective three-year custodial sentence.
On the money laundering charges, all three accused were each sentenced to three years in prison. The sentences will run concurrently with those for unlawful entry.
The court also ordered the trio to surrender assets acquired using the stolen money. These include a stand in Crowhill, a solar system, vehicles and all exhibits presented in court, which are to be handed over to the complainant, Joseph Maruta.
In addition, US$30 000 currently held by the CID Homicide unit will be released to Maruta as part of restitution.
Prosecutor Mr Tendai Tapi told the court that on June 7, 2025, the trio executed a carefully planned robbery at a house in Springville, Ruwa.
The complainant had parked his Toyota GD6 with South African registration plates in the yard before retiring for the night.
At around 2am, the accused broke into the premises by smashing the rear window of the vehicle, gaining access to the house.
They stole US$176 050 in cash kept in a plastic bag, US$6 000 from a jacket, a Samsung S24 Ultra cellphone, and a Derya pistol with two loaded magazines before fleeing.
The complainant discovered the theft at around 5am and reported the matter to ZRP Ruwa.
Investigations led to the arrest of Kennes on August 13, 2025, in Mbare, Harare, following a tip-off.
He led detectives to US$20 250 hidden in a durawall at the same Ruwa property. He also facilitated the recovery of a car valued at US$3 500, which he had purchased using the stolen money.
