HARARE – Police have clarified that a man they identified only as “Mambo Dhuterere” in connection with a series of armed robberies is not the well-known gospel musician who performs under that name.
The clarification came after the police reference triggered confusion online and led musician Darlington Mutseta, popularly known as Mambo Dhuterere, to publicly distance himself from the wanted suspect. The musician said the name had become too widely used and suggested that he might have to change his stage name.
The robbery investigation centres on a US$108,000 cash heist at Xinda Castings in Ruwa on 13 September. Two men have appeared in court over the case, while several alleged accomplices remain at large. Police say the group is also linked to an attempted robbery in Msasa and an earlier attack at a service station in Harare.
The confusion began when police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi announced the arrest of three suspects in a series of robbery cases in Ruwa, Rusape and Harare. The suspects were identified as Tinei Makaripe, 47, Pungurayi Mukambachaza and Gabriel Mukambachaza, 41. Nyathi said four alleged accomplices were still being sought under the names Khule Diva, Mambo Dhuterere, Kasongo and Senior Gama.
“The suspects’ accomplices identified as Khule Diva, Mambo Dhuterere, Kasongo and Senior Gama are on the run,” Nyathi said.
The statement did not give the real name of the person using the name Mambo Dhuterere. As the police appeal circulated, social media users began linking the wanted suspect to Mutseta, the singer known for the popular gospel song “Dare Guru”.
Mutseta then responded in a message shared online, making it clear that he was not the person police were looking for.
“Mmmmm rawandirwa Zita rakuda kuchinjwa iri… kwanana Mambo Dhuterere vehuruweki futi… Kana ndimi Manuwero…” he said.
The message translates roughly as: “Mmmmm, too many people are now using my name… now there’s a Mambo Dhuterere involved in armed robberies too… just imagine, Emmanuel.”
Police later issued a further statement confirming that the wanted robbery suspect was not the gospel musician. The Zimbabwe Republic Police said the clarification was necessary because the suspect’s nickname had been confused with the musician’s stage name.
“Reference is made to the ZRP press statement regarding the arrest of Tinei Makaripe (47), Pungurayi Mukambachaza and Gabriel Mukambachaza (41) in connection with a series of armed robbery cases in Ruwa, Rusape and Harare. The ZRP clarifies that one of the outstanding suspects referred to as ‘Mambo Dhuterere’ is not the Zimbabwean musician known by that name,” the police statement said.
The main robbery took place at Xinda Castings, a Chinese-owned manufacturing company at Borders Estate in Ruwa. The State alleges that Makaripe, Mukambachaza and their accomplices entered the premises carrying pistols after scaling a precast wall.
Once inside, the group allegedly went into a changing room and put on company work suits and helmets. Wearing the clothing allowed them to move through the property while appearing to be employees, the State case says.
The suspects allegedly intercepted two workers who were returning from the toilet and forced them to lead the group to the offices. There, they confronted Zhan Lingyue, a 24-year-old Chinese national, and demanded money.
The gang allegedly ransacked the office before taking a satchel containing US$108,000. They then moved towards the perimeter wall, carrying a metal ladder that they used to escape from the company grounds.
Workers had by then been alerted to the attack. They chased the fleeing group and threw stones as the suspects ran towards the wall. Makaripe was allegedly behind the others when a brick struck him. He fell, giving the workers an opportunity to catch him while the rest of the group escaped.
Makaripe arrived at the Harare Magistrates’ Court with serious injuries from the chase. He was limping and was later carried into the courtroom by other suspects.
The arrests have also connected the men to two other incidents. The first involved an attempted break-in at Kurima Centre in Msasa on 12 September, one day before the attack at Xinda Castings.
The State alleges that the group arrived at the business centre carrying a pistol, iron bars, machetes and a bolt cutter. They allegedly scaled the perimeter wall and moved towards the offices, where two security guards, Saymore Mudziwepasi and Ibraham Milanzi, saw them.
The guards fired warning shots into the air in an attempt to stop the intruders. The suspects allegedly continued into the centre and broke into several offices. Their operation ended when a Safeguard reaction team arrived. The group fled without taking property.
The third case concerns an alleged robbery at Redan Service Station in Glen View on 22 June. Makaripe, Mukambachaza and their accomplices are accused of carrying pistols and wearing balaclavas when they confronted two fuel attendants and a security guard.
The fuel attendants, Natasha Zvingana and Louis Mawere, allegedly handed over US$500. The suspects are also accused of taking Redan fuel coupons. They allegedly searched security guard Tafara Chipandire and stole his Itel A90 mobile phone, a security panic baton and pepper spray before escaping.
The three cases describe a group that allegedly selected businesses holding cash, entered through walls and used guns, knives or other weapons to control workers and guards. At Xinda Castings, the use of company clothing and helmets added another layer to the operation, allowing the suspects to blend into the workplace before confronting staff.
The Ruwa investigation comes as businesses across Zimbabwe continue to face armed attacks focused on cash and other easily moved valuables. In Bulawayo, police said more than US$64,000 and R1,000 had been stolen in three robberies between 13 and 17 July.
The Bulawayo attacks targeted a mobile money booth in Emganwini, another mobile money outlet in Cowdray Park and a cash collection centre in the central business district. The largest of those attacks took place while 16 cashiers were reconciling the day’s collections. Four armed men allegedly ordered the workers to lie on the floor before escaping with about US$53,000.
Police said Bulawayo had recorded 38 armed robbery cases between 1 January and 23 July, including 21 attacks on business premises. Officers said criminals often monitored cash agents before striking and that insiders sometimes provided information about the movement of money. The attacks frequently took place during opening or closing hours, when businesses were more exposed.