Alcohol dealer recognises robbers on social media

Michael Mashiri

After seeing their faces on social media when they were arrested for a different crime, a woman identified four fake cops, who accused her of smuggling alcohol then robbed her.

Tatenda Chigodora, 27, of Zengeza 2, Chitungwiza, Nigel Rongai, 22, of Kuwadzana, Phase 3, Owen Pfani, 36, of Warran Park D and Praise Mundoringisa, 35, of Kuwadzana 7, appeared before magistrate Standford Mambanje at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts charged with robbery.

They were ordered to appear in court on April 5 and were advised to apply to the High Court for bail.

The State alleges that on September 2, 2023, the accused called the complainant, one Peace Chimbi, on the phone, pretending to be customers who wanted to buy alcohol and they met her at Caledon Shopping Centre, Waterfalls, Harare.

They introduced themselves as police officers and told her that she was under arrest for smuggling beer.

The accused took over Chimbi’s car and ordered her to direct them to her house.

Along the way, one of the accused persons produced an unidentified pistol and ordered Chimbi to comply with their instructions.

While at Chimbi’s house, they took one box of Jameson Whiskey, one box of Amarula, three cases of Hunters’ Dry, two by five litres Namaqua Whiskey and demanded money for her release.

It is alleged that Chimbi called her husband, Clever Mafara, who then brought US$800 and they met outside Harare Central Police Station where she was released and then went away.

Sometime in January 2024, Chimbi identified the accused persons on social media after they were arrested and charged with other cases and she relayed the information to detectives.

The detectives used the information they had been given, leading to the arrest of Rongai, Pfani and Mondiringisa.

They were interviewed and implicated Chigodora.