Two Arrested for Armed Robbery at Chivayo's In-law...

Two Arrested for Armed Robbery at Chivayo's In-laws' farm

Peter Vhiya and Takudzwa Maisvoreva at the Harare Magistrates' Courts

Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent

Two men who were allegedly part of a gang that robbed more than US$74 000 at Alfa and Omega Farm have been arrested.

Peter Vhiya, 43, and Takudzwa Maisvoreva, 24, appeared at the Harare Magistrates' Court facing two counts of armed robbery.

The State alleges that on February 25, 2025, at around 3:00 AM, the accused and their accomplices, who are still at large, went to Cossam Siminya's residence armed with pistols, sjamboks, iron bars, and a hammer.

While Siminya and his wife, Precious Makore, were asleep in their bedroom, they were awakened by their barking dogs. Makore went to the toilet but did not see anything unusual. However, on her way back, she heard the accused and their accomplices banging on the back door.

Makore alerted her husband, and both shouted for help from their neighbors. As the intruders continued banging, Makore ran out through the front door, opened the small gate, and went to a neighbor’s house for assistance. Siminya followed and hid beneath a Toyota Fortuner parked in front of the house.

The accused then broke into the house and confronted Panashe Zhuwawo, who was sleeping in the spare bedroom. They demanded money and valuables, stealing an Itel phone that was on the charger.

When neighbors arrived to help, one of the robbers fired two warning shots, forcing them to retreat.

Meanwhile, the accused confronted Jane Manokore in her room, demanding cash and valuables. They searched her room and stole a 49-inch Samsung television, an Itel power bank, an Itel S23 phone, and US$700 in cash from her wallet.

They then ransacked Siminya’s bedroom, stealing US$10,000 in cash, an iPhone 14 Pro, a Tecno Spark 8, a box of 12 x 2-liter cooking oils, a box of 12 x 2kg Boom washing powder, a case of 10 x 2kg brown sugar, and a small tin containing US$500 from tuck shop sales.

The robbers also took a 55-inch Samsung TV from the lounge before proceeding to the tuck shop, where they confronted Bosco Chidukudze. They allegedly assaulted him severely and stole a small Samsung phone before fleeing.

The total stolen value in this incident was US$13 220, and nothing was recovered.

On March 18, 2025, at around 1:00 AM, the accused and their accomplices—still at large—raided Alfa and Omega Farm in Marondera, armed with three rifles, two pistols, two bolt cutters, machetes, and iron bars.

Upon arrival, they attacked Petros Mabunhu, a security guard employed by DM Security, beating him with iron bars and booted feet while demanding the location of other guards. They then tied his hands and legs with cable ties.

The gang then forcibly marched Mabunhu into the yard, where they confronted Zex Mutasa Rusike, an internal security guard at the farm. They disarmed him of his CBC shotgun (serial number 1035468), which had no rounds, tied his hands, and took him to the front guardroom.

Another guard, Medic Zhakata, was also attacked—struck several times on the head with iron bars before being tied up. Two armed robbers stayed behind to guard the restrained security personnel while the rest proceeded toward the main house.

At the main entrance, the robbers cut the burglar screen lock with bolt cutters, broke open the main door, and entered the house. They forced open the interior kitchen door and dragged another guard to Gerald Muteke’s bedroom, demanding cash.

Fearing for his life, Muteke surrendered US$18 000, a Sarsilmaz pistol (serial number T1102-22BV59186) loaded with eight rounds, a Samsung S23, and a Samsung S24.

The robbers then demanded to be taken to the safe. On the way, they entered Vimbai Muteke’s bedroom, demanding money and safe keys. She handed over US$1 100, a Chub safe key, and a Samsung Galaxy A35 without a SIM card.

Once in the main bedroom, Vimbai Muteke opened the safe and surrendered US$55 000.

While the robbers were still inside, Elphas Maruta, a security officer armed with a .303 rifle loaded with four rounds, was alerted about the attack. He advanced toward the house and fired two shots at the suspects, who retaliated with three shots before fleeing with the stolen property.

The total stolen value in this robbery was US$74,600, with only US$3,800 worth of cash and property recovered.

Vhiya and Maisvoreva have been remanded in custody while investigations continue. Authorities are still hunting for their accomplices.