Security guards jailed for stealing US$53,000 from Quest Financial Services Crime Scene
In a dramatic turn of events, the two security guards involved in the Quest Financial Services robbery have been sentenced to an effective 24 months imprisonment for their daring theft of US$53,000 from the crime scene. Cornelius Muchikange and Nesbert Kachungwe, who initially pleaded guilty to the offence, appeared before Magistrate Ethel Chichera on Monday to receive their sentencing.
The court initially imposed a 48-month imprisonment term on the duo, with six months suspended on the condition that they refrain from engaging in any further acts of theft or dishonesty within the next five years. In addition, eighteen months of the sentence were suspended, provided that Muchikange and Kachungwe each repay Quest Financial Services a sum of US$18,650.
The two guards were part of the reactionary team called to the scene following the robbery, during which a staggering US$720,000 was stolen. Arriving at the premises, they parked at the front and later discovered a series of discarded items left behind by the fleeing robbers, including a grinder, fuse detonators, two laptops, and a bag of dropped cash.
One of the paper bags the robbers were using to carry money was torn and all the cash dropped to the ground and the robbers escaped without picking it up.
The duo patrolled the area and found the cash amounting to approximately US$53 000, took it and shared it between themselves.
Detectives from CID Homicide Harare received a tip-off last Friday, exposing the guards’ involvement in the theft. Acting swiftly on the information, they launched an investigation that ultimately led to the arrest and subsequent prosecution of Muchikange and Kachungwe.
