Bulawayo Man Nabbed Over US$600k Armed Robbery

Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent

A 40-year-old man from Bulawayo has been arrested and charged with armed robbery following his alleged involvement in a US$600 000 heist at Merchantman Enterprises in Harare.

Stewart Ngwenya appeared at the Harare Magistrates' Courts on armed robbery charges.

The court heard that in June, at around 9:00 AM, Ngwenya teamed up with Samson Gora—who is already in custody—Oscar Muchenje, who is detained in South Africa, Nyengerayi Chikwadze, and four other accomplices who are still at large, to carry out the robbery at Merchantman Enterprises located at 93 Cameroon Street, Harare.

The gang approached the complainant, Rafiq Adam, who was seated in reception, pretending to be clients. Armed with two pistols, one of the suspects drew a weapon and struck Adam on the forehead with the pistol butt, demanding money.

Adam reportedly handed over US$500 and keys to the safe, which were in his pocket. The accused then forced him to his office, unlocked the safe using the keys, and stole US$600,000 in cash.

They also looted an iPhone 13 Pro and a Samsung Fold from the director’s office, as well as a Samsung Galaxy, a Samsung A04, an iPhone 16 Pro Max, and a V-lion phone from four employees in the cash office.

The gang fled the scene, discarding an iPhone 16 Pro Max and a Samsung Galaxy along Leopold Takawira Street near the Enbee shop.

On June 27, detectives from CID Homicide Harare received a tip-off implicating Samson Gora, the complainant's driver, in the robbery. He was arrested at his workplace and confessed to providing information about the cash to his accomplices.

Gora led police to the recovery of US$4,400 in cash, three Samsung Note 20 phones, three Samsung Galaxy phones purchased for US$1,500, and a Toyota Hiace (registration AFT1573) acquired using the stolen funds.

On July 27, detectives from CID Homicide Bulawayo arrested Ngwenya at his home. He led officers to a silver Toyota Hiace (registration AGY 1888) which he had purchased for US$20,500 with the stolen money.

Ngwenya also took police to Sunninghill suburb, where he had bought a house on Stand Number Lot 14 of Glencoe, Willsgrove, for US$95,000.