Man loses US$15k cash to machete-wielding robbers

Michael Mashiri

Zim Now Court Correspondent

A man who allegedly went to the complainant's house and stole property worth US$20,000 has been taken to court.

Tapiwa Nyakasaka, 30, of Chief Seke, Dema, appeared before magistrate Patricia Kamwanda at the Harare Magistrates' Courts charged with robbery.

The State, through prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi, alleges that on August 25, 2024, the complainant in this matter, Stephen Gramme Bennet, locked doors and windows at his house and sat in the lounge reading a book.

During the same night, the court heard that Nyakasaka and his accomplices, only known as Lactoy Kaguvi, Nyamasvisva, Shonhiwa, and Tawanda, who are all still at large, went to the complainant's house wearing balaclavas and armed with machetes.

"The accused smashed the dining room glass door with a rock to enter the lounge where the complainant was seated. The accused then manhandled the complainant, tied his hands at the back with a rope, and gagged his mouth with a cloth.

“They threatened to harm the complainant with machetes while others assaulted him with open hands on the face, demanding money and other valuables. The complainant led them to his office where he showed them his safe. The accused opened it and stole a small safe containing US$12,000 and jewelry,” the court heard.

The accused broke the safe and shared the money amongst themselves in the presence of the complainant. After sharing the money, they demanded more, and the complainant led them to the workshop, where he showed them a bigger safe.

"They opened the strong room and stole US$3,000, which they again shared in front of the complainant."

"The accused then led the complainant back to the main house, where they ransacked it and stole jewelry, a Samsung A5 phone, a Bose Bluetooth speaker, an LG Bluetooth speaker, a Canon E06 camera, a Sony digital mini camera, a camera bag, a fold-up single blade John Deere branded knife, a Leatherman fold-up multi-tool knife, 4 SanDisk memory cards, Pentax 8x40 binoculars, Swarovsky 10x30 binoculars, Swarovsky 10x25 binoculars, and a Gardena water spray.

“The accused then forced the complainant to his bedroom, where they ordered him to lie face down on the bed. They allegedly restrained him by tying his legs with a multipurpose test meter cord. The accused then fled, leaving the complainant in his bedroom.”

The court heard that the complainant later freed himself and alerted his neighbours who assisted him in notifying the police.

The police recovered one of the machetes used during the offence. On September 6, 2024, CID detectives were informed of Nyakasaka's whereabouts, leading to his arrest.

As a result, Bennet lost US$20 000 worth of property. Nyakasaka was remanded in custody.