HARARE – Two members of a four-man robbery gang, who preyed on unsuspecting Harare residents by offering them lifts before robbing them at knifepoint, have each been sentenced to ten years in prison. The sentencing comes at a time when Zimbabwe is experiencing an increase in robbery cases.
Munyaradzi Sigareta Zakaria, 38, and Zvikomborero Rukoni Zvikoni, 29, were convicted and sentenced by the Harare Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to two counts of armed robbery. The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) confirmed the sentencing, detailing the modus operandi of the criminals.
The court heard how Zakaria and Zvikoni, along with two accomplices who are still at large, lured their victims by offering them transport in a white Toyota Pro-box with registration number AGC 3919. Once inside the vehicle, the victims were threatened with knives and forcibly relieved of their belongings.
The two incidents for which they were convicted occurred on 20 October 2023. In the first incident, along Harare Drive in Marlborough, the gang targeted Bernadette Yvete Chafachinoyaura. Brandishing knives, they stole her Samsung Galaxy M02 phone, US$13, a silver engagement ring, and other items.
The second robbery took place along Lomagundi Road. Patience Dadirai Choto was blindfolded and had a knife pressed against her chest while the robbers stole her property. The NPAZ statement did not elaborate on the specific items stolen from Choto.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, Tapiwanashe Murefu, 26, of Harare, received a 15-year prison sentence for stealing over US$50,000 from Bhola Hardware.
The Harare Magistrates’ Court suspended ten years of Murefu’s sentence on the condition that he repays US$51,000 to Bhola Hardware.
Murefu committed the crime on 4 March 2023, with the help of accomplices. Eight of his accomplices remain at large, while three others – Tawanda Mutuma, 30, Edmond Nzombe, 47, and Jefferes Chapwanyira, 29 – were acquitted.
Reports suggest Mutuma, a former employee of Bhola Hardware, provided inside information that was crucial to the execution of the robbery. The group used a black Toyota Wish to carry out the theft.
