Four suspected robbers who were allegedly terrorising businesses in and outside Harare yesterday appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Court yesterday facing 11 counts of robbery.
BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE
The suspects – Mugove Chimuti alias Pardon Katerere (28), Ishmael Mutungira alias Joshua Nyariri (23), Musarurwa Gutsa (41) and Tinashe Munhanga (36) – were remanded in custody to July 5 by magistrate Barbara Chimboza.
It is the State case that on January 12 this year, Chimuti, Nyariri, Gutsa and Munhanga together with two others still at large, allegedly hatched a plan to rob.
Pursuant to their plan, they allegedly proceeded to Granary in Kuwadzana where they forced entry into a tuck shop, tied Willard Hurotwi’s hands and legs with shoe laces and stole $66 worth of groceries.
On March 27 this year, the gang again proceeded to Kanyasa Bottle Store and Butchery in Kuwadzana 6, where they forced entry into the bottle store and butchery, tied the security guard’s hands and legs and forced him to lie on his stomach.
The State alleges they ransacked the shop and stole $1 000 and goods valued at $1 000. On May 3 this year, they proceeded to Travellers Tavern bar in Dzivarasekwa where one of the suspects identified himself as a police officer, claiming to have arrested some people who were stealing at the retail outlet.
It is alleged the gang then handcuffed the security guard, stole two Samsung Galaxy phones and other goods valued at $3 254.
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Again seven days later, they proceeded to Fashion Fairs shop in Hatfield where they stole goods worth $517. On May 13 this year, they again allegedly went to Magumbe Shopping Centre where they stole goods and cash all valued at $18 000.
On June 10 this year, they allegedly proceeded to Zesa Kuwadzana depot where they stole goods and cash valued at $9 500. Six days later the gang allegedly robbed people who were walking to their respective homes in Glen View.
On several other days, the gang proceeded to wholesale chain N Richards branches in Chivi and Masvingo where they stole cash and goods valued at $3 000.
The State alleges on June 20 this year, police detectives arrested the four suspects in Zvishavane after they had attempted to flee.
The gang’s vehicles were searched and explosives, detonator fuse cables and burglary implements were recovered. Linda Gadzikwa appeared for the State.
