Man in Court for Armed Robbery, Illegal Firearm P...

Man in Court for Armed Robbery, Illegal Firearm Possession

Munyaradzi Mashiri – Court Correspondent

A local man has been arraigned before the courts facing charges of armed robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm after allegedly robbing a Ruwa home of a gun, cash, and electronics.

Square Chimweta ,45, of Chitungwiza appeared before Magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts facing charges of armed robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm.

The State, represented by prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi, told the court that on August 25, 2020, at around 03:30 hours, Chimweta, together with his accomplices Peace Murwira, Mbonishi Ndlovu, David Zungura, and Alex Matthew Murira, conspired to rob the complainant, Tinashe Mbishi, at his residence located at 11066 Timire Park, Ruwa.

The gang allegedly scaled the precast wall to gain entry into the yard. They were reportedly armed with an unidentified pistol, a crow hammer, and wore face masks and balaclavas.

They confronted the complainant and pointed a firearm at him, demanding money and valuables. Fearing for his life, the complainant surrendered his Smith & Wesson pistol, serial number UAN 5722.

The accused then allegedly bundled the complainant and his family into a bedroom, ransacked the house, and stole several items including the firearm, an iPhone 7, Huawei 9, Samsung A20, an Itel phone, 13 x 2-litre bottles of Zimgold cooking oil, car keys, and US$600 in cash. They reportedly fired three shots before fleeing the scene.

In total, property worth US$995 was stolen.

The court further heard that in December 2020, around 08:00 hours, Chimweta was found in possession of the stolen Smith & Wesson pistol, which had been hidden under the driver's seat of a Nissan X-Trail, registration number AAQ 3548, which was also stolen from the complainant’s residence.