Ruwa Cash Heist: How 2 robbers squandered US$176,000 stolen from highly-connected businessman enjoying nice time with girlfriend

HARARE – Two men, Gladmore Fadzauone and Tawanda Jabulani Makumana, have appeared in court in Harare, accused of being part of a gang that robbed a highly-connected businessman Joseph Maruta of US$176,000 from a house in Ruwa. The alleged heist occurred after Maruta, a Harare businessman, collected US$181,000 from a farm in Kwekwe as payment for supplying potato seeds. The farm is owned by a very, very popular person who runs a thriving farm in Kwekwe.

After collecting the payment in June, Maruta returned to his Kambuzuma home before heading to his girlfriend Leoba Hunda’s residence in Springvale, Ruwa. He carried with him his pistol, loaded with two magazines each containing 15 rounds. It is alleged that on June 7, a gang of robbers targeted Hunda’s house, making off with US$176,050 in cash, a Samsung S23 Ultra phone, and a Derya pistol, serial number TG970-24L78774, along with two fully charged magazines. The bulk of the stolen money was contained in a plastic bag, with US$6,000 stashed in Maruta’s jacket.

Maruta awoke around 5am to discover the theft and promptly filed a report at ZRP Ruwa.

In the wake of the robbery, the suspects are alleged to have gone on a spending spree, acquiring properties and vehicles with their ill-gotten gains. Fadzauone, one of the accused, allegedly used his share of the loot to purchase a stand in Crowhill, Borrowdale, where he constructed a three-roomed cottage. He further secured the property with a precast wall, installed a solar system, and drilled a borehole. He also acquired a Nissan Caravan NV350, a Toyota Hiace, a Honda Fit, and a Toyota Ipsum. Not stopping there, Fadzauone is also accused of building a four-roomed house at his rural village in Mundirwa Village, Rusape. Furthermore, he confessed to using some of the stolen cash in Mozambique while he was on the run and bought two welding machines and a generator.

Following a tip-off, detectives from CID Homicide, Harare, received information that Fadzauone was involved in the Maruta robbery and was hiding in Beitbridge. They located and arrested him at Number 2413 Shule Shule, Dilibadzimu, Beitbridge. A search of his room led to the recovery of US$5,300 cash in a small cross bag.

During questioning, Fadzauone implicated Makumana in the crime. He also admitted to assisting Makumana in fleeing across the border to Mozambique, for which he received a US$7,000 reward.

Makumana, on the other hand, reportedly used the stolen funds to purchase a Mini Cooper valued at US$1,300 and a stand in Juru, Murehwa, for US$1,200. The remainder of his share was used to buy food and clothing for his family.

Another suspect, Blessing Kennes, is already in custody in connection with the robbery. Prosecutors allege that the gang worked together in a coordinated effort to rob Maruta. The investigations are ongoing, and authorities are working to recover the remaining stolen funds and bring all those involved to justice.

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