Two more suspects have appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court in connection with a violent robbery spree at Alfa and Omega Farm and a private residence, where a total of US$85 558 was stolen.
Taurai Mushawemhuka ,20, and Felix Karimba ,25, are facing eight counts of robbery and have been remanded in custody until May 20, when they are expected to be joined with other accused persons. The court advised them to apply for bail at the High Court.
According to the State, the first incident occurred on February 25, 2025, around 3AM, when the suspects, along with accomplices still at large, raided the residence of Cossam Siminya armed with pistols, sjamboks, iron bars, and a hammer.
Siminya and his wife Precious Makore were asleep when they were alerted by barking dogs. Makore went to check and, on her return, heard banging on the back door. She warned her husband, and the couple began shouting for help. Makore escaped to a neighbour's house, while Siminya hid under a vehicle.
Inside the house, the intruders confronted Panashe Zhuwawo in the spare bedroom and stole an Itel phone. When neighbours attempted to intervene, the robbers fired warning shots, forcing them to retreat.
The gang then robbed Jane Manokore, taking a 49-inch Samsung TV, a power bank, an Itel S23 phone, and US$700 in cash. In Siminya’s bedroom, they stole US$10,000, an iPhone 14 Pro, a Tecno Spark 8, and various grocery items including cooking oil, washing powder, and brown sugar. They also took US$500 in tuck shop sales from a small tin and a 55-inch Samsung TV from the lounge.
In the tuck shop, they allegedly assaulted Bosco Chidukudze and stole a Samsung phone. The total value stolen in this raid was US$13,220—none of which has been recovered.
A second incident occurred on March 18, around 1AM, at Alfa and Omega Farm in Marondera. Armed with rifles, pistols, bolt cutters, machetes, and iron bars, the suspects overpowered security guards.
Petros Mabunhu, a DM Security guard, was beaten and tied up. Another guard, Zex Mutasa Rusike, was disarmed of a CBC shotgun and also restrained. A third guard, Medic Zhakata, was severely assaulted and tied up.
While two robbers stood guard, the rest force-marched a fourth security guard to the main house. They broke in and confronted Gerald Muteke, forcing him to surrender US$18,000, a Sarsilmaz pistol, and two Samsung smartphones.
They then demanded safe keys from Vimbai Muteke, who handed over US$1,100, a Samsung Galaxy A35, and the safe key. Inside the main bedroom, the robbers took an additional US$55,000 in cash.
As they attempted to flee, Elphas Maruta, armed with a 303 rifle, exchanged fire with the suspects, who eventually fled. From the US$74,600 taken in the farm robbery, US$3,800 worth of property was later recovered.
Investigations are ongoing as more suspects remain at large.
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