Masterminds behind Koala Park heist arrested after...

Masterminds behind Koala Park heist arrested after executing another armed robbery

Zim Now Writer

Five suspected armed robbers were arrested in connection with cases which occurred at Koala Estate along Chitungwiza Road on September 13, 2022 and at Goodhope Farm Mt Hampden on February 13, 2023.

Godknows Mukavi,35, Charles Muzvidzwa,45, Tatenda Madzudzo,28, Munyaradzi Gumbo,42, and Happiness Mutsago,41, invaded the farm after disguising as cellphone network providers.

National Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the suspects attacked the employees who were working in wheat field and stole US$30 000 cash, several cellphones, a Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle registration number AAV2589 and an Isuzu vehicle.

“On the February 13, Godknows Mukavi allegedly posed as a genuine customer who intended to hire a truck at N Richards shops along Harare-Bulawayo Road to carry potatoes from Goodhope Farm to Mbare Musika.

“He hired the complainant, who had a Hino Dutro truck and along the way, he instructed the driver to pick up his accomplice, Muzvidzwa, after lying that he was the owner of the farm where they intended to buy the potatoes.

“Upon embarking onto the truck, Muzvidzwa produced an unidentified pistol, pointed it at the complainant and ordered him to comply with their orders. The suspects searched the complainant and took an Itel cellphone and US$20 cash before they handcuffed and blindfolded him with a piece of cloth.

“They ordered him to jump onto the back of the truck. One of the suspects took charge of the truck and proceeded to Goodhope Farm where they captured the farm security officer and the farm manager and stole two cellphones and US$1 500 cash after posing as police officers who were on an operation targeting illegal drug dealers.

“The suspects tied the two farm workers and ordered them onto the back of the truck,” Assistant Nyathi said.

Police arrested Mukavi who led to the arrest of four others who were tracked on their way to Banket where they intended to commit another robbery, leading to their arrest at Mbare Musika.

The police recovered a 9mm FN Browning pistol with a magazine of 11 rounds of ammunition, two pellet guns, a cutting torch, capsule explosive, a capped explosive fused cable, four pairs of handcuffs and a pack of tyre cables.