Harare – A tenth suspect has been apprehended in connection with a high-profile robbery that took place in Highlands two years ago. Stephen Matanhire, 55, appeared in court this week charged with robbery, bringing the total number of accused to ten. The case, which involves the theft of US$100,000 in cash and other valuables from a businessman’s home, continues to unfold, revealing a complex and meticulously planned operation.
The court heard details of the robbery, which occurred on August 13, 2022. Matanhire, along with eight other individuals – Shadreck Kabanga Musalonza, Susan Kunyarimwe, Raymond Motikari, Ignatius Bumhira, Darlington Chirenga, Vincent Rafick Magadhi, David Nyakauru, and Josephat Muchenje – are accused of working together to target Simon Matanhire’s residence. These eight individuals have already appeared in court on similar charges.
The robbers, armed with an assortment of weapons including an unknown pistol, a 15-pound hammer, and iron bars, arrived at the property prepared for their crime. They gained access using duplicate keys to unlock the small gate, demonstrating pre-planning and inside knowledge. Their next target was Yolanda Chifamba, the maid who was preparing to leave the house.
The robbers forced Chifamba to the cottage, where they staged a scene, ostensibly harassing their accomplice, Raymond Motikari. Motikari, it is alleged, had provided crucial information about the substantial amount of cash kept at the businessman’s residence. This detail highlights the insider element to the meticulously planned robbery.
Having secured the maid’s cooperation under duress, the robbers then demanded and obtained the keys to the main house. Once inside, they proceeded directly to Simon Matanhire’s main bedroom. The robbers used a 15-pound hammer to force open the bedroom door, demonstrating a willingness to use force to achieve their objective.
Inside the bedroom, they located and stole a safe containing a significant amount of cash – US$100,000 and ZAR300,000 – along with other valuable items. The stolen items included a 9mm SARSILMAZ B6 pistol, 53 rounds of ammunition, house title deeds, a Samsung S8 smartphone, and two iPhones, all of which lacked SIM cards. The robbers then loaded the safe into their getaway vehicle, a silver Nissan NV200, and escaped.
CCTV footage captured the robbers in action, providing crucial evidence for the prosecution. This visual record will undoubtedly play a significant role in the ongoing trial. The footage likely captured the entire sequence of events, from the initial entry to the escape, providing compelling evidence against the accused.
Stephen Matanhire was remanded in custody until November 5th, awaiting further court proceedings.
While there is significant progress in the US$100,000 heist that took place two years ago, however, there seems to be some snail progress regarding a more recent and much publicized Ecobank Bulawayo’s US$4.4 million cash robbery.
On Thursday, a list of suspects which was believed to have been released by the police began circulating on social media. But a day later, police dismissed the list as fake.
However, sources revealed that Elijah Vumbunu is the prime suspect with the modus operandi of the Ecobank heist highly linked with that of Vumbunu and his gang.
Six years ago, Elijah was released from prison on ZW$50 bail pending his appeal against conviction and a 40-year sentence after he and his gang had stormed Mutare Parts in September 2003 and got away with Zimbabwe and United States dollars, collectively valued at $40 million.
In 2005, Vumbunu helped to mastermind a prison break at Chikurubi Maximum Prison, where he was confined to the C Hall, which houses rapists, murderers and armed robbers — people convicted of third schedule offences.
Elijah Vumbunu and his younger brother, Takafa Vumbunu alias Naison Mahembe are both wanted by the police.
They grew up in Mzilikazi, Bulawayo, as off-springs of very religious but polygamous parentage. From the mid-90s, four members of the Vumbunu family allegedly engaged in all forms of criminal activities including theft, carjacking, stealing from motor vehicles before eventually up scaling their activities to include armed robberies.
Nehemiah Temai Vumbunu is the oldest of this brood of criminal minds and is believed to have stolen thousands of dollars’ worth of cars and property during a crime spree that ended when he was shot along with his suspected armed robbery accomplice, Jabulani Quinton Sibanda.
Before he died seven years ago, the older Vumbunu roped in his younger siblings Elijah, Abraham and Takafa, and the trio continued to pull heists well after the death of their mentor.
All three have served time at one point or the other with the duo of Elijah and Abraham now wanted for the alleged role in the 2022 How Mine robbery during which they got away with 11,9 kilograms of gold and four guns.
Without having been granted bail, Elijah Vumbunu was only due to be released in 2026 after completing his jail term.
Elijah’s sibling, Abraham was also recently released from prison where he was serving time for armed robbery. This publication could not establish why or when he was arrested and the reason for his imprisonment.
The third brother, Takafa/Naison was convicted and sentenced to 62-years after he was arrested in August of 2015 and was convicted of eight counts of armed robbery and contravening the Firearms and Explosives Act in 2017 along with 11 other members of the gang.
