Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
Court Reporter
A 49-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man has appeared in court accused of taking part in a daring robbery in which over US$507 000 in cash and property was allegedly stolen from a Harare company.
Dingani Mpofu appeared before Harare regional magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa facing robbery charges.
Mr Lancelot Mutsokoti prosecuted.
The State alleges that on July 20 this year at around 12 midnight, Mpofu and his accomplices, who are still at large, went to a company along Harare Drive armed with AK-47 rifles and a pistol.
They allegedly confronted security guards — William Socha and Kudzanai Mapanzure — before handcuffing and force-marching them into the premises.
Once inside, the gang allegedly searched Socha and stole US$200 and a Samsung Z Fold 6 cellphone valued at US$1 500.
They allegedly searched Mapanzure and took US$150 before forcing both men to lie down in an office hall.
The court heard that some members of the gang remained guarding the two while the others allegedly proceeded further into the premises, where they confronted another security guard, Ryan Bangajena.
Bangajena was allegedly forced into the office hall where he was made to lie down with the other guards.
It is alleged that the gang then confronted a company driver, Tapiwa Chikwira, who had arrived in a Toyota Hilux. They allegedly handcuffed him, searched him and stole US$2 000 before taking him to the office hall.
The gang allegedly proceeded to a cottage at the company premises where they confronted Shi Jin Lian and Qiao Lei.
The State alleges they stole US$314 from Qiao Lei and US$15 000 from Shi Jin Lian before assaulting and force-marching them to the office hall.
The robbers allegedly returned to the cottage where they confronted Tadiwanashe Dube, Sydney Mafuka and Amanda Chinho.
They allegedly stole US$90 from Mafuka, three iPhones and a Tecno cellphone, 100 Macan Dollars, a Reno 12 Oppo cellphone containing an Econet line, a Philippe wristwatch valued at US$50 000 and keys to company vehicles.
The State further alleges that the gang grazed Qiao Lei’s head with a grinder while demanding more cash and valuables.
They allegedly took a safe from a wardrobe in the main bedroom containing US$377 694 and 11 mining certificates.
The safe was allegedly loaded into a Toyota Hilux, registration number AGO 7110, which the gang used to flee.
The occupants later managed to free themselves and reported the matter to police.
On July 22, the stolen Toyota Hilux was allegedly found abandoned along Harare Drive in Mandara opposite a church.
Mpofu was arrested on August 22 in connection with the robbery.
Police allege that he subsequently led investigators to the recovery of a Mazda Bongo, registration number AHQ 1492, which he had allegedly bought using proceeds from the robbery.
He also allegedly made voluntary indications to police showing how the offence was committed. According to the State papers, the total value of property stolen is US$507 078, while property valued US$87 000 has been recovered.
