Man Faces Fresh Armed Robbery Charge While in ...

Man Faces Fresh Armed Robbery Charge While in Remand

Munyaradzi Mashiri

Zim Now Court Correspondent

A 32-year-old man, Itai Madhongo, already in custody for alleged involvement in a series of armed robberies and rape cases, has been arraigned at the Harare Magistrates' Courts on an additional charge of armed robbery.

Madhongo, who appeared before the court, is set to return on December 17 for further proceedings.

Prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi informed the court that on April 14, around 2:00 a.m., Madhongo, armed with an unidentified pistol and a machete, forcibly broke into a residence at 1366 Churu Farm, Glen View, Harare.

Once inside, he allegedly entered a spare bedroom where Priscilla Chinyanda, a housemaid, was sleeping with her employer’s children. Madhongo reportedly manhandled Chinyanda, ordered her to cover her head with her jersey, and threatened to kill her if she made noise.

The accused then allegedly stole various household items, including a blanket, a 32-inch Samsung television, a brown bag, a small Bluetooth speaker, a 5kg gas tank, and personal documents belonging to the homeowner, Tendai Mutandwa, such as a COVID-19 vaccination card, passport, national ID, and bank cards.

Madhongo was arrested on November 18 for a spate of armed robberies and rape cases in the Glen View and Glen Norah areas and has been held at Harare Remand Prison since then.

While in custody, Madhongo allegedly instructed his two wives, Tsitsi Njowa and Nomatter Muguva, to destroy incriminating evidence by burning papers and other items from his home. However, the court heard that instead of burning the materials, the wives disposed of them in sewer water at Churu Farm.

Their actions were reportedly spotted by local residents, who informed the police. This led to the recovery of a COVID-19 vaccination card belonging to Mutandwa and the subsequent arrest of Njowa and Muguva.