Jewellery agent robbed of US$14k property

Michael Mashiri

A Glen Norah man has been arraigned before the courts after participating in a robbery of property worth US$14 153.

Charles Malgas, 68, of Glen Norah C, Harare appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi at the Harare Magistrates’ Court accused of robbery, contravening Section 126 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, Chapter 9:23.

The State, through Zebediah Bofu, alleges that on March 5, 2023 at around 0800 hours, Malgas came together with his accomplices to rob the complainant, who is an agent for a Gold and Jewellery Company in Avondale, Harare.

Malgas called the complainant, pretending to be gold dealers who wanted their gold ore to be smelted.

The complainant advised them that he was at his offices and later, Malgas called him saying they had arrived at Blue Lagoona Shops, Avondale.

The complainant went outside the yard and signalled Malgas and his accomplices who were driving a black Toyota Sienta to come to the offices.

Two accused persons went to the complainant’s offices. While inside the offices, they produced their gold ore which was smelted and a gram of pure gold came out.

They negotiated on the price for the gramme of gold to US$55 and the complainant opened the drawer to take out money.

Suddenly, the two accused persons produced unidentified identity cards and introduced themselves as police officers and that the complainant was under arrest.

They ordered him to load all the money, gold scate, 158 grammes pure gold and an Itel A16 phone into a cardboard box and he complied.

They forcefully went with him outside the gate where one of the accused persons phoned someone whom he referred to as his superior.

A few minutes later, a black Toyota Sienta came with only the driver on board. They bundled the complainant into the car and drove off along Lomagundi Road towards the City Centre.

Along the way, one of the accused persons produced a knife and threatened the complainant before forcing him out of the car as they proceeded towards the City Centre.

Malgas was identified by the complainant, leading to his arrest.

The value of the property that was stolen was US$14 153 and nothing has been recovered.

Malgas was ordered to return to court on May 16, 2023.