Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
TWO suspected armed robbers already in remand appeared in court last week, facing three additional counts of robbery.
Mufaro Mupandira (29) and Brandon Chitiyo (21) were arraigned before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa charged with three counts of armed robbery.
They were advised to approach the High Court for bail.
Prosecutor Ms Mercy Masamvi told the court that on December 27, 2024, at around 7 pm, the suspects, along with their accomplice Fidelis Muchemwa, who is still at large, were driving a stolen Ivory Honda Fit.
They offered the victim, who was standing along the highway looking for transport to Murehwa, a ride. The victim, who had a black purse containing her makeup kit, two pairs of blue jeans, two T-shirts and groceries, got in and sat in the back seat.
When the vehicle passed 44 Growth Point Shops in Musami, the suspects locked the doors, spoke to each other in a manner that intimidated the victim and plotted how to rob her.
One of the suspects, still at large, grabbed the victim by the neck, ordering her to remain silent, while another demanded that she hand over her belongings, including her phone.
One of the suspects produced a knife, handed it to Muchemwa and pretended to search for a firearm to further intimidate the victim.
They accused her of hiding money in her undergarments and forcibly removed her dress and bra. Despite searching her clothes, they found no money.
The suspects threatened to rape the victim but abandoned their plan when they noticed houses nearby. They eventually drove her to a secluded area, threatening her again and debating among themselves whether to carry out their threats.
Finally, they stopped the vehicle, escorted the victim to a nearby bush at knifepoint, and left her. The victim later reported the incident to ZRP Murehwa.
On another count, on December 28, 2024, the suspects, still driving the stolen Ivory Honda Fit, encountered a police roadblock manned by ZRP Mabvuku.
They abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, leaving behind several incriminating items, including two children’s clothes, a blue jersey, a pair of yellow pushers, a cream pant, a black skin-tight, two floral dresses, a smartphone and a pair of shoes.
On January 4, 2025, the first victim positively identified her stolen phone, which was found to contain pictures of the second accused, Chitiyo.
The total value of stolen items in this incident was US$206, with property worth US$100 recovered. The court also heard that on December 23, 2024, at around 10 am, the suspects, again accompanied by Muchemwa, offered a lift to another victim, a woman travelling from Mabvuku Turn Off to Marondera.
The suspects picked up several passengers, including another victim, Mavis Sango, with Chitiyo driving and Mupandira in the front passenger seat.
Upon nearing the Goromonzi toll gate, the suspects used back roads. They later dropped off all the other passengers except for the two victims. Near the 71-kilometre peg, the suspects pulled off the road, locked the car doors, and demanded the victims to hand over their belongings.
They threatened them with a knife and a rope. The suspects stole cellphones, US$50, two traveling bags, and baby clothes.
Their plan was interrupted when another vehicle approached, prompting the suspects to abandon the victims and flee.
The victims filed a report at ZRP Marondera. On December 28, 2024, the suspects encountered a ZRP Mabvuku roadblock but managed to escape on foot, leaving behind the stolen vehicle and several stolen items.
On February 17, 2025, the second victim positively identified her stolen belongings at ZRP Mabvuku. In this incident, the total value of stolen property was US$200, of which US$5 was recovered.
