Five Men Charged with Car Hijacking and Armed Robb...

Five Men Charged with Car Hijacking and Armed Robbery

Munyaradzi Mashiri

Zim Now Court Correspondent

Five men accused of orchestrating a series of armed robberies while posing as passengers in vehicles appeared before magistrate Tilda Mazhande.

Evans Matemarunga ,25, Tinotenda Mapfumo ,24, Nigel Gatsi ,22, Trymore Chikende ,27, and Peace Tsara ,28, face charges related to car hijacking and armed robbery. They were remanded in custody until January 31, with instructions to apply for bail at the High Court.

The first complainant, Francis Mandiro Karonga, works as a driver for Chinese national Huang Junmei. On December 24, after dropping off a client at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Karonga stopped at Total Service Station on Samora Machel Avenue to buy a drink.

The accused approached him, seeking transport to Mabvuku. Karonga agreed to drop them at the Acturus Road turnoff, as it was along his route.

Upon reaching the turnoff, the suspects allegedly turned on Karonga. Mharidzwa reportedly drew a 9mm black EKOL pistol and demanded Karonga's valuables, forcing him into the back seat. The group searched him and took his phone and US$15 before commandeering the vehicle.

The accused later abandoned Karonga at a roundabout in Hatfield. He reported the incident to Borrowdale Police Station, leading to investigations that resulted in the suspects’ arrests on January 12, 2025.

Police recovered the stolen vehicle, sold to Tafadzwa Chanetsa, and the EKOL pistol, which was hidden at Mharidzwa’s residence. The total stolen property was valued at US$8 060, while recovered items were valued at US$8 500.

The same stolen vehicle was allegedly used later on December 24, 2024, for another robbery at Thuli Service Station in Mabvuku.

At around 2 a.m., the accused, wearing balaclavas, pretended to refuel the car. When fuel attendant Kudzai Mukukunyoro approached to serve them, the suspects brandished a pistol and knife, stealing US$300 before fleeing the scene.

CCTV footage confirmed the stolen vehicle’s presence at the service station.

Following their arrest, police recovered the vehicle, the pistol, a balaclava, and a knife linked to the robberies.

The suspects are facing multiple charges, including armed robbery and vehicle theft. Investigations are ongoing, with further hearings scheduled for January 31, 2025.