Man Accused of Armed Robbery at Hello Paisa

Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent

A 30-year-old man from Chitungwiza has been charged with armed robbery, unlawful entry, and firearms offences following a daring robbery at the Hello Paisa branch at Kuwadzana 2 Shopping Centre.

Munyaradzi Hodzi appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Courts facing charges of armed robbery, unlawful entry into premises under aggravating circumstances, and contravening the Firearms Act.

He is expected back in court on August 14, 2025.

The court heard that on April 16, around 2:00 AM, the complainant was on duty at Hello Paisa Kuwadzana 2 Shopping Centre, along with Elina Sakunaka and Charles Maoneke, two security guards from Volsec Security Company, who were manning the complex.

Hodzi, together with his accomplices Edson Murambidzi and Takudzwa Makanha—who are already in custody—allegedly approached the complainant while wearing face masks and reflective overalls.

They were armed with four unidentified pistols, four metal axes, and an iron bar.

They reportedly manhandled the complainant, and one of them struck him on the forehead with a firearm.

The suspects then force-marched him to where the other two guards were stationed, tied their hands and legs using shoelaces from the complainant's shoes, and left one of the robbers to guard them while the others proceeded to the back of the building.

The accused allegedly forced open a metal door and a screen gate to gain entry into the shop. Once inside, they reportedly blasted open a safe using explosives and stole US$9,000. They also took a revolver—serial number 1235736—loaded with a magazine containing five rounds of ammunition from a gun cabinet before fleeing the scene.

The complainant later reported the incident at ZRP Kuwadzana. Following investigations, Hodzi was arrested on July 22, leading to the recovery of the stolen firearm, which had been buried behind his two-roomed house.

The total value stolen during the robbery was estimated at US$9,500.

In a separate incident on June 23, around 6:00 PM, the complainant secured the shop and went home. On June 24, at around 12:40 AM, unknown masked assailants—armed with pistols—broke into the shop by damaging the screen doors.

Once inside, they broke into the office and attempted to access a Mukuru safe using explosives, but failed. Alerted by the sound of approaching security guards from nearby premises, the suspects fled, taking with them a 12-volt Exide battery.

While escaping, they reportedly fired shots toward the guards before vanishing into the darkness.