HARARE – Former Dynamos chairman and prominent businessman Rafik Adam was attacked and robbed of US$500,000 at his offices in central HARARE yesterday morning in a daring raid.
The robbery occurred at around 10 AM at Adam’s offices along Cameroon Street in the HARARE Central Business District.
According to sources, the robbers disguised themselves as clients when they came to Adam’s offices.
Adam, a former Warriors team manager and influential figure during the Dream Team era, is a well-known football enthusiast who has supported numerous footballers and administrators over the years.
It is understood that Adam owns several properties, including the building housing his offices, where tenants typically pay their dues.
A man who works in the area said that it appeared the robbers knew all this and had done their surveillance very well.
“You can even speculate that they had some inside information and knew when Mr Adam would be in the office and the chances that there was a lot of money at that time,” he said.
“They disguised themselves as people who wanted to pay their rentals, which is something that happens all the time at this office, and they then struck.
“It was all done very smoothly and the only time that we heard that a robbery had taken place was when Mr Adam came out asking for help and for people to call the police.
“His face was bloodied and it showed that he had been attacked but by then the robbers had disappeared.
“I’m not sure whether they used a car or just slipped into the crowd.”
A crowd gathered outside Adam’s offices when he cried out for help.
Last night, police confirmed the robbery and said four armed robbers were involved.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said:
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms an armed robbery case involving US$500,000 in HARARE Central Business District this morning (yesterday) along Cameroon Street.
“Investigations have since started and more details will be released in due course,” said Comm Nyathi. Another witness said the robbers did not appear top have worn any masks and their faces could be traced using the CCTV cameras which are at buildings around the crime scene.
Meanwhile, in a related incident, HARARE provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza confirmed another armed robbery involving US$13,000 at the house in Mt Pleasant.
The house is the home of a director of the Road Angels company.
Three armed robbers terrorised his family, demanded the car keys and stole the money.
“Police are investigating an armed robbery in Mt Pleasant.
“They approached the complainant covering their faces with face masks, armed with an unidentified black pistol, a knobkerrie, an L-shaped wheel spanner and ordered the complainant to lie down whilst pointing the pistol at him and he complied.
“They then tied his hands at the back with a black shoe lace and demanded money.
“The complainant told them to check in the wardrobe and they took 2000 South African Rands and went on to demand more money,” said Insp Chakanza.
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