Two Men Accused of Robbery and Abduction

Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent

Two men from Epworth are facing charges of robbery and abduction after allegedly targeting a woman they had offered a lift to, stealing her money and phone, and forcing her to make a mobile money transfer.

Mufaro Mupandira, 29, and Brandon Chitiyo, 21, both of Epworth, appeared before magistrate Donald Ndirowei at the Harare Magistrates' Court facing robbery charges.

They were remanded to July 7 for trial.

The State, represented by prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti, alleges that on December 28, 2024, at around 1400 hours, the accused, along with their accomplice Fidelis Muchemwa—who is still at large—were driving a stolen ivory Honda Fit with registration number AEL 7871 when they offered a lift to the complainant, who was heading to the Chishawasha area.

Along the Harare–Nyamapanda Road near Juru, one of the accused allegedly grabbed the complainant by the neck, threatened to kill her, and forcibly took US$350 from her.

They reportedly ordered her to transfer US$40 into the EcoCash account of Chitiyo’s biological father, Brighton Charamba. They also stole her Samsung A04 cellphone (IMEI number 35260784832325896) before dumping her in Shamva.

The complainant later reported the matter at ZRP Mabvuku.