Three soldiers nabbed over US$142k heist

Zim Now Writer

Police have arrested nine suspected armed robbers, including three serving members of the Zimbabwe National Army in connection with five counts of robbery involving US$142 000.

The suspects appeared at the Harare Magistrates Courts before magistrate Taurai Manuwere, who remanded them in custody to May 2 for bail application.

National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, in an address to the media in Harare yesterday, named the suspecxts as Innocent Chawaguta, 37, Tafadzwa Chirinda Charute, 36, Owen Mbayi, 37, Promise Mussa, 36, Tapiwa Chigwaze, 39, Wintson Matizanadzo, 46, Kamuriwo Mudziwaona, 39, Farai Chauke, 38 and Simbarashe Vhazhure, 33.

Prosecutor Anesu Chirenje alleged that on May 16, 2022 at midnight, the suspects scaled a precast wall at the J and P Security company offices in Eastlea, Harare.

They were seen on the CCTV by two guards who were in the control room, one of whom went outside to investigate but was confronted by the suspects, who were armed with pistols and rifles.

They reportedly tied the guards before seizing keys to the strong room and stealing cash that had been collected from various clients for cash in transit services.

The suspects also confronted a reaction team that responded to a distress call, tied them up before disappearing with cash amounting to US$142 995 and six different firearms.

In another case, the suspects on March 28 this year allegedly confronted workers at a service station driving two vehicles — a silver Nissan AD van and a white Mitsubishi — pretending to be customers.

One of the robbers, who was armed with an unidentified pistol, disembarked from the vehicle and the fuel attendants fled.

A security guard fired a warning shot in the air.

The court heard that the other suspects disembarked from the vehicles armed with two AK-47 rifles and six unidentified pistols and disarmed the guard.

They allegedly broke the screen and door to the office and blew up a safe using explosives but failed to access the money.

Ass. Comm. Nyathi, meanwhile, said the suspects were linked to cases in Harare, Murehwa and Shamva.

“The suspects are clearing five armed robberies, initially, but I want to assure Zimbabweans that as investigations continue all cases in which these suspects were involved are going to be reviewed,” he said, adding that any members of the security forces involved in criminal activities will face the full wrath of the law.