19 man gang grabs US$52 000 from Bhola Hardware

Michael Mashiri

Two members of a 19-man gang have appeared in court after stealing US$52 000 at Bhola Hardware.

Tapiwanashe Murefu, 26, of Budiriro 2, and Tawanda Mutuma, 30, of Belvedere, were at the Harare Magistrates' Court facing charges of theft, violating Section 113 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, Chapter 9.23.

The state through Zebediah Bofu alleges that, in March 2023 at around 16:00 hours, Murefu and Mutuma teamed up with Jeffrey Chipwanyira, one Nzombe and other 15 accused people who are still large.

The gang used three cars and went to Bhola Hardware located at number 41, Harare Street, Harare.

As the complainant was coming from the shop, they grabbed his satchel which had US$52 000 and ran back into their cars and rushed off.

CCTV installed at the premises captured the whole incident.

A report was made to the police and investigations led to the arrest of Murefu and Mutuma who implicated Chipwanyira and Nzombe and other 15 unidentified suspects.

US$1 000 was recovered from Murefu while US$500 was recovered from Mutuma.

The two were before magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure who granted them ZWL$100 000 bail each and remanded them to May 8.