A Bulawayo man has appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Court facing robbery charges after he and suspected accomplices allegedly raided a Mt Pleasant company and stole US$377,694 in cash, mining certificates and valuables worth more than US$382,000.
Dingane Mpofu, 49, is accused of taking part in the July 20, 2026 robbery at Heliconvest Company in Mt Pleasant.
The State alleges that Mpofu and accomplices who are still at large cut through razor wire and an electric fence before entering the premises at about 9pm.
The gang allegedly attacked three security guards and forced them into the guardroom. Several employees who arrived at the company were allegedly searched, assaulted and robbed of cash before being forced to lie on the floor.
The court heard that the gang also entered the main building and allegedly robbed several employees of cash and valuables.
Among the items allegedly stolen were three headphones, a USB flash drive, 100 Macau dollars, an Oppo Reno 12 cellphone and a Patek Philippe wristwatch valued at US$50,000.
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The gang allegedly found a safe in a first-floor bedroom containing US$377,694 and 11 mining certificates.
The State alleges that the safe was loaded into a Toyota Hilux belonging to the company before the gang fled. They also allegedly took the CCTV DVR from the guardroom and keys to the company’s vehicles.
One employee, Qiao Lei, was allegedly grazed on the head with a grinder while being forced to produce more money.
The Toyota Hilux was later found abandoned on Harare Drive in Mandara.
Mpofu was arrested on December 22 and allegedly led police to a Mazda Bongo he had bought using proceeds from the robbery. He also allegedly made indications showing police how the robbery was carried out.
The recovered Mazda Bongo, CCTV DVR, mining certificates and vehicle documents are expected to be produced as exhibits.
Mpofu was remanded to a later date as police continue investigations.
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