Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
Two Harare men have appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court in connection with the robbery of the Mukuru Send Money Home branch in Mabelreign, Harare, where they allegedly made off with US$5 631 and R26 600.
The suspects, identified as Tanaka Java (41) and Ronald Rupare (28), were charged with robbery when they appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Estere Chivasa.
Both pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to return to court on February 18 for the start of their trial.
The complainant in the case is Ms Farirai Munashe Mandivenga (27), a cashier at the Mukuru branch.
The State, represented by Mr Nhoni Kaseke, alleges that on February 7, at around midday, the two suspects, in collusion with an accomplice who is still at large, planned to rob Ms Mandivenga.
The suspects reportedly lay in wait while the complainant went to the toilet.
Upon her return, she opened the back door of the booth, and the accused followed her inside.
They allegedly manhandled her, threatened her with a pistol and forced her to open the safe. The suspects then took away R26 600 and US$5 631 before fleeing the scene as Ms Mandivenga screamed for help.
The court heard that Ellis Masekesa, an employee at wheel and tyre shop, gave chase while calling for assistance.
Members of the public joined the pursuit and apprehended Java, recovering a balaclava and R10 000 in cash.
Police officers from ZRP Avondale traffic, who were on patrol, joined the chase and successfully arrested Rupare.
The public handed over Java, the recovered cash, and the balaclava to the police, who transferred them to ZRP Mabelreign for further investigation.
The complainant subsequently filed a report at ZRP Mabelreign.
