Headlands – A daring armed robbery has disrupted the peace of the Headlands farming community, with Tsukumai Farm, owned by former Justice and Legal Affairs minister and ZANU PF Secretary for Legal Affairs Cde Patrick Antony Chinamasa, targeted by criminals last week.
The incident occurred on the night of February 9, 2025, when a group of suspected robbers, believed to be travelling in a white Toyota Wish vehicle, stormed the farm. Their brazen act resulted in the theft of a brand-new Mazda BT-50 double cab, a pistol, and various kitchen utensils.
At the time of the robbery, Cde Chinamasa and his family were not present at the farm. The robbers initially subdued the security officer stationed at the entrance to the main farmhouse before turning their attention to the farm manager.
While attempts to obtain an official statement from the police proved unsuccessful, Cde Chinamasa confirmed the robbery on Wednesday, directing further inquiries to his wife, Mrs Monica Chinamasa.
According to Mrs Chinamasa, the robbers’ primary objective appeared to be the acquisition of money. “The robbers were four when they stormed my house at the farm. They tied the hands of the farm manager and security guard who was manning the entrance gate,” she recounted.
“They force-marched them into the house and covered them with blankets. They ran ransacked the house, turning everything upside down, looking for money, which fortunately was not there. There was no place or room they left unturned, be they beds and sofas, they were all turned upside down.”
Frustrated in their search for cash, the robbers made off with a blue Mazda BT-50 double cab, which was yet to be registered and had only travelled 12 000km. “They took the car keys of my brand new Mazda BT-50, blue in colour, which we were yet to register. It had only travelled for 12 000km,” Mrs Chinamasa explained.
In addition to the vehicle, the robbers also stole a firearm from a secure location within the house. “They also took a pistol from the gun cabinet, a box of cocking oil and set of kitchen knives. It was more of the money which they wanted,” she said.
Mrs Chinamasa believes the robbers arrived at the farm in a white Toyota Wish vehicle. “We suspect that they came driving a white Toyota Wish vehicle. We reported the matter the same night, and the police from Headlands came to record statements. The matter has since been transferred to the Criminal Investigations Department in Rusape.”
The attack left the farm’s employees with serious injuries. “The two employees were seriously injured, having been severely assaulted with iron bars. They were mainly attacked on the hands, and one of them suffered hearing impairment; his ears are currently non-functional,” Mrs Chinamasa revealed.
“They were treated and discharged from Rusape General Hospital, but remain in shock. As they were covered with blankets during the attack, they could not identify the type of guns used by the robbers.”
The incident has had a significant emotional and practical impact on the Chinamasa family. “This robbery has had a profound impact on us. I am currently unwell and in pain. The stolen car was essential for my work around the farm. I am devastated whenever I think about how these individuals could target us, assuming we kept money in the house. It is utterly unfair and unacceptable. These were simply criminals targeting us,” Mrs Chinamasa lamented.
The Criminal Investigations Department in Rusape is now handling the case, and investigations are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen items. The brazen nature of the robbery has raised concerns within the Headlands farming community, prompting increased vigilance and security measures.
