Satguru Travel robbery suspects appear in court

Michael Mashiri

Men who stole more than US$78 500 from Satguru Travels and Tours has appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi.

Jonathan Tembo, 26, of Dzivaresekwa 3 and Roy Makunike, 22 of Ushewokunze, Waterfalls appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Courts charged with robbery.

The State, through prosecutor Grace Mugocheke, alleges that on June 3, 2023, at around 0900 hours, Makunike - who is employed as a driver at Satguru Travel and Tours at Eastgate Mall - wanted to rob the complainant who is an accountant and tourism manager at Satguru Travels. Tembo and his accomplices roped in two other guys to execute the robbery since they are employees at the company.

Makunike and his accomplices Rangarirai Manika and Webster Nyarambi, who planned the robbery, reported for work and they were communicating with their accomplices, Tembo and Dyson Kochelani who are not Satguru employees since complainant intended to go to the bank to deposit to money.

Makunike and his work colleagues connived with Tembo and Kochelani, who is still at large, and went to Eastgate Mall with knives and pepper spray.

They proceeded to the basement area where they switched off the lights, waylaying the complainant while at the same time waiting for a signal from their accomplices who are Satguru employees.

On that same date, complainant packed cash amounting to US$78 550 from a cabinet locker and placed it in a black satchel bag en route to NMB Bank, Borrowdale Branch for banking. Satguru Travels is a duly registered company which is into travels and tours.

The complainant then summoned Manika, who is accused’s accomplice, requesting him to drive him to Borrowdale for banking unaware that he was part of the team that wanted to rob him.

Complainant and Manika walked down the stairs to the car park at the basement of Eastgate Shopping Mall.

When they got there, Manika unlocked car doors, a white Toyota Allion, Manika occupied the driver’s seat while complainant occupied the left back passenger’s seat.

As Manika drive off, Tembo and Kochelani confronted them with knives and they pepper-sprayed the complainant.

In order to cover up for the involvement of their accomplice Manika, Tembo and his accomplice also pepper-sprayed him.

Tembo and Kochelani tied up both the complainant and Manika with tyre cables.

They stole a Redmi phone, Samsung A23, and US$78 550 from the complainant.

They stole US$2, a Samsung J5 from their accomplice, Manika to disguise the complainant, knowing that he was involved in the robbery before leaving both of them tied up.

Complainant untied himself and later untied Manika not knowing that he was also involved in the robbery.

The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of Tembo and Makunike.

The two were ordered to appear in court on July 5 for bail application.