Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent
A four-man gang accused of masterminding a spate of violent robberies across Harare has appeared in court, facing charges that span attacks on a church, businesses, and private homes.
Joshua Hodzi, 47, Kennedy Chitiza, 46, Takunda Samwira, 36, and Revai Matsika, 50, appeared before magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts charged with multiple counts of robbery.
According to prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi, the gang and their accomplices—some still at large—carried out a series of meticulously planned raids, often armed with pistols, rifles, and iron bars.
Their crime spree left guards, caretakers, and employees tied up, beaten, and terrorized while thousands of dollars in cash and valuables were looted.
On June 24, the robbers stormed ZAOGA Hatfield District around midnight, disarming security guard Takesure Kivha, seizing his pistol and phone, before attacking caretaker Aleck Tsanzaika. They blasted open safes, escaping with foreign currency including US$1 279, R2 100, £788, 407 Botswana pula, and ZWG495.
The same night, they hit the Automobile Association of Zimbabwe, overpowering three employees at gunpoint. The robbers tied their victims with shoelaces, threatened to shoot them, and made off with US$4 047 and iPods after blasting a safe.
On September 1, the gang struck again at Probrands in Ruwa, confronting guard Chishamiso Charambani. They handcuffed him, blasted open safes, and stole computers, a gas tank, and cash worth US$3 660.
The gang is also accused of robbing Talent Rusenza at Volvo Penta in Masasa on June 17, where they stormed his cottage, held him at gunpoint, and ransacked his property.
Detectives from CID Homicide Harare eventually closed in on the suspects on August 18, leading to arrests and the recovery of some stolen items, including iPods, tools, and phones.
The case continues.
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