Six men have been arrested and charged in connection with a series of brazen armed robberies targeting Mukuru Money Transfer booths across Harare and surrounding areas.
The arrests bring to a close a period of significant concern for both the financial institutions and the public, as the gang’s activities instilled widespread fear. Despite the arrests, none of the stolen money has been recovered.
The arrests of Norest Sasa (39) and Clive Makofa, both from Mabvuku, Harare, bring the total number of suspects in custody to six. They appeared before Harare Magistrate Mrs Tilda Mazhande, alongside four other suspects already on remand: Joseph Bilson Makoni (30), Tatenda Madhirize (28), Ggies Siziba, and Evans Mabvakure (47).
All six face seven counts of robbery and one count of unlawful possession of explosives. Sasa and Makofa were remanded in custody until January 30th, 2025, when their case will be consolidated with that of their co-accused. Their bail applications must be made at the High Court.
The gang’s alleged modus operandi involved using firearms to intimidate staff and customers at Mukuru booths, making off with substantial sums of money. The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) detailed some of the robberies in an official statement on X.
On December 16th, 2024, Sasa and Makofa allegedly robbed a Mukuru booth at Glenview 2 Shopping Centre, making off with US$1 839 and R2 350 from the booth attendant and an additional US$950 from a client. They fled the scene in a black Toyota Mark X, firing warning shots into the air.
Four days later, on December 20th, 2024, the pair allegedly struck again at a Mukuru booth in Kamunhu Shopping Centre, Mabvuku, stealing US$1 374 and R22 000. Further robberies were reported at the Manyame Complex Mukuru Money Transfer booth (US$5 030 and R 18 700) and a Beatrice Mukuru booth in January 2025, the NPAZ statement confirmed.
A separate case involving an alleged accomplice, Clever Chada, is also underway. Chada appeared in court on Monday and admitted to two counts of armed robbery and one count of possessing explosives without a permit.
He denies five additional robbery charges. Magistrate Mazhande remanded Chada in custody, with a referral to the plea court scheduled for January 30th. Prosecutor Mr Anesu Chirenje stated that Chada, working with his accomplices, orchestrated a series of robberies targeting Mukuru booths across Harare and its surrounding areas.
The details of the robberies, as presented in court, paint a picture of a well-organised and ruthless criminal operation. On December 16th, 2024, Chada and his accomplices, arriving in a black Toyota Mark X, fired shots into the air at the Glen View 2 Shopping Centre Mukuru booth, creating panic before robbing booth operator Tawanda Tagara of US$1,839 and R2,350, and client Proud Muchairi of US$950.
Further robberies occurred on December 20th, 2024, in Mabvuku (US$1 374 and R22 000), January 3rd, 2025, in Manyame (US$5 530, R18 700, and an additional US$680 from an EcoCash booth), and January 11th, 2025, in Beatrice (US$3 500 and cellphones valued at US$4 050).
The arrests of these six individuals represent a significant step in addressing the string of robberies that targeted Mukuru Money Transfer booths. However, the lack of recovered funds underscores the need for continued investigation and efforts to recover the stolen money.
