Three men, including a Zimbabwe National Army member, appeared in court this week facing charges of armed robbery following a series of brazen attacks in Harare.
Tafadzwa Chakuteta (38), stationed at Inkomo Barracks in Nyabira, along with Willye Chirau (32) and Sarezi Shonhiwa (57), were remanded in custody until December 6th after appearing before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa. The trio were advised to seek bail from the High Court.
The State’s case details a series of meticulously planned robberies. On October 26th, the accused allegedly targeted a Harare home. The court heard how they approached the gardener, armed with machetes, knives, and pistols, and wearing balaclavas. They pretended to be police officers investigating a stolen laptop.
Upon gaining entry, the robbers overpowered the gardener, handcuffing him before forcing their way into the main house. They informed the homeowners that their gardener was under arrest for theft. When the couple opened their door to investigate, the trio pushed their way inside, tying the couple’s hands and feet with shoelaces. They then threatened the couple with violence, demanding cash and valuables.
The robbers proceeded to ransack the house, stealing US$160 from a handbag, US$6 000 from a wallet, and various electronic gadgets. They also broke into a safe in the main bedroom, making off with a 9mm Walther pistol, 14 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and two empty magazines.
The stolen items were loaded into the homeowners’ blue Toyota Rav 4, which the robbers then drove away. The vehicle, along with a 5kg gas tank, 10kg of mealie-meal, and 10kg of beef, were later abandoned in the Mazowe area.
Less than two weeks later, on November 3rd, the trio allegedly struck again. This time, their victims were in the kitchen of their home at Plot 01 Pircy Farm, James Farm Road, Goromonzi, preparing dinner. The robbers, one wearing a balaclava and the others woolen hats, threatened the occupants with pistols and machetes, demanding cash.
The complainants were forced to lead the robbers to their bedroom where an iPhone 15 Pro Max, various clothes, and an Asus X515 laptop were stolen. The State alleges that the total loot from this second robbery included US$1 000, two iPhone 13 Pro Max phones, a wallet containing US$2 000, and jewellery.
The involvement of a serving member of the Zimbabwe National Army in these serious crimes raises significant concerns. There has been a rise in armed robberies involving serving and former soldiers in Zimbabwe over the past 5 years.
