A fresh suspect has been apprehended in connection with the infamous school armed robberies that have plagued Harare.
Livingstone Nyikadzino, a resident of Chinhoyi, appeared before Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa yesterday, facing charges related to the brazen attacks on Lytton Council primary school and Widcombe primary school, hmetro has reported.
Nyikadzino, who was not asked to plead, is alleged to have been part of a group that targeted Lytton Council primary school on April 25th. Armed with two firearms, the group, including Nyikadzino and his accomplices who are still at large, allegedly attacked the school guard, Ngonidzashe Zvipindu, while he was on duty.
The incident unfolded in a chilling manner. Zvipindu, who was seated in a classroom, spotted the robbers and attempted to flee towards the precast wall. However, the robbers pursued him, catching him as he tried to scale the wall.
They then assaulted him with iron bars, dragged him to the administration block, and tied his hands and legs with his shoelaces before covering him with a blanket.
With the guard incapacitated, the robbers proceeded to break into the headmistress’ office, using explosives to open the safe and steal US$268. They ransacked the office, making off with five grey HP laptops and a C Idea smart tablet.
Their rampage continued as they broke into the bursar’s office, stealing two HP laptops, and then into the storeroom, where they made off with a welding machine, shovel, grinder, and muttock. They left the guard tied up, but he managed to shout for help, and was eventually untied by the caretaker, Eliah Makonde.
The stolen property, valued at US$3 500, has not been recovered.
Nyikadzino and his accomplices are also alleged to have targeted Widcombe primary school on April 30th. In this incident, they allegedly confronted two security guards, Rindai Muuya and Factory Sinagado, who were on duty in the guard room.
One of the six robbers was armed with a gun, while another wielded a metal bar. They tied up the guards with ropes, dragged them to the corridor of the administration block, and ordered them to lie face down.
Leaving the guards under the supervision of one of the robbers, they broke into the School Development Association Office and stole two laptops.
Their audacious heist continued as they broke into the headmaster’s office, using a grinder to break the safe and steal fuel coupons and US$2 372 in cash. The robbers escaped with property and cash valued at US$5 300, which has not been recovered.
Nyikadzino was remanded in custody until September 26th and was advised to approach the High Court for bail considerations.
