HARARE – A Bulawayo resident has been arrested in connection with the armed robbery of businessman Rafik Adam, who lost US$600,000 in a brazen cash heist in Harare. Stewart Ngwenya, 40, of New Magwegwe, Bulawayo, appeared before Harare regional magistrate Donald Ndirowei on Monday, where he was remanded in custody. He was not asked to enter a plea.
Ngwenya is suspected of being part of a gang of armed robbers who targeted Adam, a former Dynamos chairman and Warriors team manager, at his office in the Harare CBD on June 9th. Police allege that Ngwenya used a portion of the stolen loot to purchase a house in Bulawayo for US$95,000 and a kombi for US$20,500.
Magistrate Ndirowei advised Ngwenya to seek bail at the High Court, given the severity of the charges.
The court heard that Ngwenya, along with accomplices Samson Gora (already in custody), Oscar Muchenje (arrested and detained in South Africa), Nyengerayi Chikwadze, and others still at large, conspired to rob Adam, the director of Merchantman Enterprises, at his offices located at number 93 Cameroon Street, Harare.
In addition to the cash, the robbers ransacked the offices, stealing an iPhone 13 Pro, a Samsung Fold cell phone, a Samsung Galaxy, a Samsung 04, an iPhone 16 Promax, and a V-lion cell phone from four employees present in the cash office. During their escape along Leopold Takawira Avenue, the gang dropped the iPhone 16 Promax and a Samsung Galaxy, before disappearing with the bulk of their ill-gotten gains.
Investigations into the robbery led detectives from CID Homicide Harare to Adam’s driver, Samson Gora. On June 27th, detectives received information suggesting Gora’s involvement in the crime. They swiftly arrested Gora at his workplace.
During questioning, Gora confessed to providing the gang with information about the money at his workplace. This confession led to the recovery of US$4,400 in cash, three Samsung Note 20 cell phones, three Samsung Galaxy cell phones (bought for US$1,500), and a Toyota Hiace (registration number AFT1573), all purchased with the stolen money.
On July 27th, detectives from CID Homicide Bulawayo received information that Ngwenya was suspected of being involved in the robbery. Acting on this information, they arrested Ngwenya at his residence at number 2610 New Magwegwe, Bulawayo.
Ngwenya’s questioning led to the recovery of a silver Toyota Hiace (registration number AGY 1888), which he had purchased for US$20,500 using the proceeds from the crime. He then led detectives to Sunning Hill suburb, Bulawayo, where he had acquired a house at Stand number Lot 14 of Glencoe, Willsgrove, for US$95,000, again using the stolen funds.
The arrest of Ngwenya and the recovery of assets highlight the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to crack down on armed robberies and bring perpetrators to justice. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of such crimes on businesses and individuals, and the importance of vigilance in safeguarding assets. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to apprehend the remaining suspects and recover the outstanding stolen funds.

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