Deadly Duo Arrested After Harare Robbery Spree

Mashiri- Court Correspondent

Two men have been arrested and charged with armed robbery after allegedly breaking into homes in Harare, threatening victims with pistols and knives, and stealing valuables worth thousands of dollars.

Police said unlicensed firearms and ammunition were recovered during the suspects’ arrest.

David Chirasasa and Simbarashe Makunura appeared before magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka, who advised them to apply for bail at the High Court.

The court heard that on July 30 at around 6 pm, the complainants were sitting in their dining room when the accused persons and their accomplices ambushed them.

Armed with pistols and knives, the intruders ordered the victims to remain silent, forced them to lie face down, and tied their hands with cable ties before demanding money and valuables.

The suspects allegedly took a cellphone from one of the complainants and force-marched her to her bedroom, where they assaulted her, tied her legs, gagged her with a cloth, and ransacked the room.

They reportedly stole US$100, a satchel, a grey Microsoft laptop, an iPhone XR, several clothes, spectacles, three handbags, and other items.

Another complainant was also forced into her bedroom, tied up, and robbed of US$250, a black Dell laptop, an iPhone XR, a Samsung S22 Ultra, a Samsung S8, and a car key for a red Honda Fit.

The assailants loaded the stolen goods into the complainants’ Honda Fit and used it as their getaway vehicle.

The victims later managed to untie themselves and reported the incident to the Zimbabwe Republic Police at Waterfalls Station.

The total value of the stolen property was estimated at US$11 734, of which US$3 610 worth of goods was recovered.

In another incident on July 8 at around 6:30 pm, the accused persons allegedly followed a 13-year-old girl returning from buying airtime. She alerted her mother, who later encountered the masked men armed with a pistol at her doorstep.

The robbers reportedly threatened her with death and force-marched her into the bedroom, where they stole US$7, three cellphones, a Dell laptop valued at US$860, a power bank, and a satchel.

They fled, leaving the complainant tied up. Her daughter sought help from neighbours, and the matter was reported to the police.

The stolen property was valued at US$2 000, with US$860 worth recovered.

The suspects were arrested on August 13 and assisted detectives in recovering firearms used in the robberies.

Among the recovered weapons were five live 12-bore shotgun rounds, an Astra revolver, and a pistol with its maker’s name and serial numbers erased, loaded with three 9mm live rounds.

All the recovered firearms were found to be unlicensed.