Five men who terrorised households, businesses and service stations across Greater Harare have been sentenced to a combined 164 years in prison after a series of armed robberies that left victims shot, assaulted and stripped of cash and valuables.
The gang targeted 10 properties and businesses between October 2023 and February 2024. Its haul included thousands of United States dollars, firearms, vehicles and electronic equipment. One of its biggest robberies came on January 31, 2024, when the men raided a business premises in Workington and escaped with US$42,000, electronic gadgets and a Honda Fit.
The five convicted men are Tafadzwa Richard Marondera, 25, Liberty Mukanganise, 31, Brighton Chikukwa, 27, Silence Matambo, 27, and Luke Zinyengere, 28. Police linked them to the 10 robberies after investigations that began with information about Marondera.
Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri, spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Republic Police Criminal Investigations Department, said the gang used a 9mm Retay pistol to threaten victims. Some were shot and assaulted as the robbers demanded money and other valuables.
“The accused persons would intimidate their victims and, in some instances, shoot and assault them while demanding cash and other valuables,” she said.
The gang’s attacks began in Mabvuku on October 12, 2023. After the occupant of a house refused to open the door, the robbers fired warning shots, forced their way inside and stole US$5,500.
On December 10, the men struck a home in Glen View 7, firing shots and taking US$320. They then went to a farm in Beatrice. There, a victim was shot in the thigh as the robbers stole US$700, electronic gadgets and two firearms.
The attacks continued on December 29. After raiding a residence, the gang went to a service station, broke into its offices and blasted open a safe, taking US$4,870. When a security reaction team arrived, the robbers opened fire and forced its members to retreat. The gang then escaped in a Toyota RAV4 belonging to one of the victims.
Service stations in Mabelreign, St Mary’s, Chitungwiza and Ruwa were also among the gang’s targets. The Workington robbery a month later brought the cash total into sharp focus: US$42,000 was taken alongside the electronics and Honda Fit.
Police said their investigation gathered pace after receiving information linking Marondera to a series of armed robberies. He was arrested on February 25, 2024, and implicated the other men during questioning. Further arrests followed, and detectives recovered the 9mm pistol identified as the weapon used in the robberies.
Marondera received 77 years in prison. Mukanganise was sentenced to 36 years, while Chikukwa, Matambo and Zinyengere each received 17 years. Magistrate Noel Mupeiwa presided over the case, with Mercy Musamvu appearing for the State.
The Harare case comes as police report other armed robbery investigations in different parts of Zimbabwe. In Mberengwa, five suspects were arrested after an attack at a mine on October 30, 2026, in which security personnel were allegedly assaulted and disarmed.
The suspects were named as Trueman Joseph Kumo, 50, Tinashe Rungano Chinodya, 39, Calvinias Zhou, 58, Polite Moyo, 26, and Hamfry Mbosini Mpofu, 25. National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the group was armed with two pistols, axes and shovels. Police said three shotguns, loaded with 18 rounds of ammunition, and US$16,500 were taken.
Nyathi said detectives had recovered the shotguns and five spent cartridges. “Police have since recovered five spent cartridges and the three stolen shotgun rifles from the suspects,” he said. He described the arrests and recovery of the weapons as a significant development in the investigation. The five were expected to appear in court.
A separate investigation in Beitbridge has linked six suspects to 14 robberies allegedly committed between March and September 2026. Detectives arrested the group after receiving information that further robberies were being planned in the border town. Police say the alleged victims included business operators, lodge guests, service station staff, residents and churchgoers.
The suspects were identified as Clatton Dube, 36; Tapiwa Trymore Moyo, 38, also known as Kudakwashe Mudzingwa or Gweja; Philimon Bernard Dambwara, 34; Nyasha Muparira, 45; Jameson Chikozho, 25; and Stanley Shumba, 22. Investigators recovered stolen property and two Blow P29 air pistols with ammunition after tracking the suspects to Mfelandawonye in Beitbridge.
One reported attack took place on April 25 at a church in Mashavire, where worshippers were attending a service. The men allegedly ordered congregants to lie down and robbed three people of cash, mobile phones and a laptop. On May 20, a lodge room was reportedly broken into and US$2,710, R18,700 and a cellphone were stolen.
Police also linked the Beitbridge suspects to cases in Masvingo, Mwenezi and Gutu, as well as Kuwadzana, Snake Park and White House in Harare, Gweru and Murambinda. In one Masvingo case, investigators said the group posed as customers seeking foreign currency, lured a trader to a secluded place and robbed him of R55,000 and a cellphone.
Muteweri said detectives had recovered stolen property and weapons in the Beitbridge investigation. She also credited members of the public with helping police identify and track suspects.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police commends members of the public for their concerted efforts in the fight against crime. The Zimbabwe Republic Police remains committed to disrupting criminal networks through intelligence-led operations, thorough investigations and effective collaboration with communities,” she said.
The five Harare men have now been sentenced for the 10 robberies. The Mberengwa and Beitbridge investigations remain at the arrest stage, with police reporting arrests and recovered weapons as inquiries continue.