Suspects in court for armed robbery

Michael Mashiri

Two men who were allegedly in the habit of robbing people have been arraigned before the courts facing armed robbery charges.

Elijah Mucherahondo, 37, of Glen Norah A, and Panganai Munodawafa, 46, of Chitungwiza, appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts accused of armed robbery.

They were remanded in custody.

The State, through prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi, alleges that on September 23, 2023, at around 0130 hours, Mucherahondo and Munodawafa and four other accomplices, who are still at large, armed themselves with machetes, knives and iron bars and went to house number 17501 Zengeza 4, Chitungwiza.

They entered the complainant's house through an unlocked door and went to his bedroom and used an iron bar to open the door.

While inside the bedroom, they dragged the complainant from the bed to the floor and told him to lie down facing downwards.

They allegedly tied his hands from the back with electric cables.

The State alleges that they assaulted the complainant's his wife demanding money and she gave them US$7 500 which was in the wardrobe.

They stole a Huaweii phone belonging to the complainant and an Itel phone belonging to the complainant’s wife.

The accused persons loaded two car batteries, solar battery and various groceries into the complainant's car a Nissan Vannette and drove away.

A total of US$14 070, worth of was stolen and US$5 080 was recovered.

The State also alleges that on December 28, 2023, at around 1900 hours, the accused persons, Givemore Musurudzwa, who is admitted at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and their four accomplices, who are still at large, robbed the complainant, Forget Katsukunya.

They allegedly went to Kutsukunya’s place in Rockview, Chitungwiza area armed with stones and metal objects.

They forced open the dining door and awakened Katsukunya who locked his bedroom door from the inside.

The accused failed to enter and they broke Katsukunya’s bedroom window using a stone.

One of the accused threw a stone into Katsukunya’s bedroom demanding money.

Katsukunya then surrendered an Itel phone. They also went on to smash the driver's window before opening the bonnet.

They allegedly stole 12-volt Taurus battery and went away.

The property had a value of US$300.

It is also alleged that on February 13, 2024, at around 2200 hours, the accused persons, wanted to rob the complainant, Nomore Hoshola.

They allegedly went to Hoshola's place at 27120 Samuel Parirenyatwa Housing Co-operative, Ruwa in Harare armed with machetes, knives and metal objects.

When they arrived, they allegedly forced open the dining door and this awakened Hoshola who then shouted for help.

The accused allegedly manhandled Hoshola’s son, tied his hands from the back using shoelaces and assaulted him demanding money and a phone.

The accused were scared by the screaming sound made by Hoshola and they ran away and could not take anything.