Harare Police Nab Notorious Armed Robbery Syndic...

Harare Police Nab Notorious Armed Robbery Syndicate Behind Multiple Heists

Witness Runodada

Zim Now Reporter

The Zimbabwe Republic Police has successfully dismantled a high-profile armed robbery syndicate responsible for a series of brazen heists in and around Harare. The arrests come after an intensive investigation following an October 28, 2024, robbery in which US$30 000 was stolen from Dinwoo Investments in Workington, Harare.

The operation led to the capture of five primary suspects: Spencer Mapfumo, 42, Patrick Chibaba, also known as Mupositori, 38, Tarwirei Madzudzu, alias Mukanya, 50, Paddington Meki, 44, and Washington Marunze, 36. Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department Homicide Division acted swiftly on a tip received on October 30, which identified Spencer Mapfumo as a suspect in the robbery.

Police apprehended Mapfumo while he was driving a Nissan AD van without registration plates. During his arrest, authorities recovered a firearm, the van, and US$37 in cash. Upon interrogation, Mapfumo’s statements implicated several accomplices, which led to a series of successful arrests.

At his Eyecourt, Waterfalls residence, Patrick Chibaba attempted to escape but was stopped after being shot in the left foot. Police seized US$2 020 in cash, a loaded Tokarev pistol, and a blank firing Relay pistol from Chibaba’s property.

Tarwirei Madzudzu was captured in St Mary’s, Chitungwiza, after a brief chase with officers. At his residence, authorities recovered US$740 in cash. Paddington Meki was later intercepted on October 31 while traveling in a red Honda Fit en route to meet with his accomplices in Domboshava. A loaded 7.65mm magazine and US$805 in cash were discovered in his vehicle.

Authorities have linked the syndicate to six armed robbery incidents that occurred in Harare from July to October 2024. Among them was an August 20 heist at ZAOGA Church in Glenorah A, where US$4 000, ZAR 5,610, and BWP 120 were stolen, and an October 7 robbery at Garfunkel, Prince Charles Airport, which saw the suspects abscond with US$27,273 in cash.

In a separate case, ZRP apprehended Bornwell Mukwasi, 32, Clive Mudiwa, 25, and Nathan Mudiwa, 22, in connection with a robbery at Rhi Media Holdings on October 29. In this incident, computer equipment valued at US$71,710 was stolen. Mukwasi’s arrest in Harare’s Central Business District on October 30 led police to intercept a bus at Beitbridge carrying some of the stolen items, including three subwoofers, an iMac monitor, a Dell laptop, and various other electronics.

Following Mukwasi's arrest, police traced Clive and Nathan Mudiwa to their Budiriro residence, where they recovered studio monitors, printers, microphones, and other equipment valued at US$65 000.