Notorious armed robber in the dock over a series o...

Notorious armed robber in the dock over a series of robberies in Harare

Michael Mashiri

Zim Now Court Correspondent

A serial armed robber who was allegedly part of a team that committed a series of robberies in the city has been arrested.

Alfred Mangwiro, 45, of Glen View 8, appeared at the Harare Magistrate's Courts charged with armed robbery.

On May 31, 2024, Mangwiro together with Milton Mukumba and Hazvineyi Joseph who are arrested in connection with this case to robbed John Dzombe.

The three armed themselves with machetes and knives and went to Dzombe's house in Snake Park.

"When they arrived, they allegedly forced their way in by breaking doors.

"Whilst inside the house, they threatened to kill Dzombe, searched the whole house and stole an Iphone 15 Pro Max, Samsung A23, Samasung J2, Sony play station 5, 2x55 inch televisions, a black lithium battery, and a box of kitchen utensils.

"The accused loaded the loot into Dzombe's car and used it as their get away vehicle.

"On June 18, the accused with his accomplices Mukumba and Joseph went on to rob Mollen Tichareva in Glaudina Phase 1 and found the complainant sleeping in his bedroom.

"They woke him whilst armed with a bob jan spanner, bolt cutter, and an okapi knife.

“They ordered the complainant and his wife to sleep on the floor,” the court heard.

They tied their hands at their back and legs with shoe laces demanding money and other valuables.

They allegedly assaulted the complainant all his body with a bolt cutter.

When the wife saw that her husband was injured, she gave in and disclosed where the money was.

The accused stole two Samsung phones, US$4 170, DSTV decoder, various clothes, two satchels, two gas tanks, diagnostic machine, 58 inch Hisence TV and a wallet.

They allegedly loaded the loot in the complainant's car and drove off. The accused later dumped the car in Glen View 3, Harare, where it was later recovered.

The court was also informed that on July 4, 2024, the accused with his accomplices armed themselves with baton sticks and knives and went to another complainant's house in Glaudina.

When they arrived, they forced open the kitchen door to enter the house and went to the complainant's bedroom where they ordered the complainant and his nephew to lie down.

"They tied their hands from behind using nylon cords.

"They stole a 32 inch Samsung television, JVC sound bar, 4 suits, three shirts, three trousers, Samsung note 10 phone, Samsung S20, Samsung A2, two laptops, Samsung A40, US$2 020 and a bunch of keys.

“They loaded the loot in the complainant's car and drove away.”

On the same night, detectives from CID Homicide Harare made a follow up of the complainant's car and intercepted the accused persons in Kuwadzana.

When they realised it was the police, they fled from the scene.

The detectives fired some shots resulting in Mukumba being shot on the buttock and on the right leg but he managed to escape.

The suspect, Mangwiro was remanded in custody.