malvernmugadzikwa
Online Reporter
A BID for freedom by two of the 15-member gang suspected of being behind a spate of armed robberies in and around Harare between May 2022 and April 2024, including the J and P Security US$142 995 heist, has flopped.
This was after the High Court dismissed their application for bail pending trial.
High Court judge Justice Emilia Muchawa, sitting with Justice Regis Dembure, dismissed Kamuriwo Mudziwaona and Winston Matizanadzo’s bail application, saying they were likely to abscond if freed.
The duo is facing five counts of armed robbery.
Mudziwaona and Matizanadzo were jointly appearing with Thembinkosi Matutu, Batsirai Hutsi, Innocent Chawaguta, Tafadzwa Chirinda Charute, Owen Mbayi, Promise Mussa, Tapiwa Chigwaze, Farai Chauke, Simbarashe Vhazhure, John Manobo and Happy Matombo.
Another member of the gang, Norest Prosper Mutambudzi, died following a shootout with the police in Epworth on July 18 this year.
In their application, Mudziwaona and Matizanadzo told the court that they were members of the Mugodhi Apostolic Church in Solomio, Ruwa, and had been arrested while discussing church matters.
However, the State argued they were not proper candidates for bail since the police recovered firearms under a bed at the place where they were arrested after they were implicated by Mussa.
“This court finds the applicants to be flight risks and not suitable candidates for admission to bail,” said the judges in dismissing the duo’s application.
“Given the circumstances, it will not be in the interests of justice to admit them to bail pending trial. No exceptional circumstances have been established that permit their release.”
It is the State’s case that on May 16, 2022, around midnight, the two, armed with pistols and rifles, and together with their gang, entered J & P Security offices at number 17 Walterhill Estate, Eastlea, Harare, by scaling the precast wall.
They then allegedly attacked security guards at the place before stealing US$142 995 and six firearms.
Only US$4 900 was recovered.
On February 25, 2024, the gang allegedly attacked Denford Chizanga of Windsor Park in Ruwa.
They allegedly tied him with cables, but failed to blast a safe open, before stealing three laptops, a tool kit, an S9 tablet, two laptop bags, one travel bag and some foodstuffs, all worth US$4 952.
About US$1 500 was recovered.
It is alleged that on March 11, 2024, around midnight, the gang attacked a security guard, Assulani Jackson, who was armed with a 303 rifle loaded with five live rounds, at a filling station in Harare.
Online Reporter