Marondera – Two more suspects, allegedly part of a gang that brazenly robbed businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s in-laws at Alpha Omega farm in Marondera, have appeared in court and been formally remanded in custody.
The state, represented by Lancelot Mutsokoti, alleges that on March 18, at approximately 1 AM, Vhiya, Maisvoreva, and other accomplices still at large, conspired to rob Muteke Farm, part of the Alpha and Omega Farm complex.
According to court papers, the gang was armed with a formidable arsenal: three rifles, two pistols, bolt cutters, machetes, and iron bars. Their coordinated attack began by targeting the farm’s security personnel.
“Upon arrival, they ambushed Petros Mabunhu, a security guard employed by DM Security, assaulting him with iron bars and kicking him repeatedly,” the court heard. The robbers allegedly tied Mabunhu’s hands and legs with cable ties before forcing him into the farmyard.
There, they encountered another guard, Zex Mutasa Rusike, disarming him of a CBC shotgun without ammunition. Rusike was similarly bound and marched to the front guardroom, where a third guard, Medic Zhakata, was also attacked and restrained.
Two security guards were left under the watch of two armed accomplices while the rest of the gang broke into the main house. Using bolt cutters, they forced entry through the burglar screen and kitchen door, eventually confronting Gerald Muteke in his bedroom.
As the robbery unfolded, Elphas Maruta, armed with a 303 rifle loaded with four rounds, advanced toward the house after being alerted to the situation. A shootout ensued, with Maruta firing two shots and the suspects firing back three shots before fleeing the scene.
The gang ultimately fled the scene with a total of US$74,600 in cash and valuables. Police later recovered stolen property worth US$3,800.
Second Robbery: Siminya Targeted
The suspects are also implicated in a separate robbery on February 25, targeting Cossam Siminya at his residence.
Around 3 AM, the accused and their accomplices, armed with pistols, sjamboks, iron bars, and a hammer, broke into the home after waking the complainant and his wife, Precious Makore, with the noise of their barking dogs.
Makore, upon investigating, alerted her husband after hearing banging noises at the back door. While she attempted to seek help from a neighbour, the robbers forced entry and began ransacking the house.
They confronted Panashe Zhuwawo, who was sleeping in a spare bedroom, and stole his cell phone. Outside, neighbours who came to assist fled after one of the robbers fired two warning shots into the air.
Meanwhile, the gang confronted another resident, Jane Manokore, stealing a 49-inch Samsung television, cash totalling US$700, a cell phone, and other valuables.
The robbers then entered Siminya’s bedroom, stealing US$10,000 in cash, an iPhone 14 Pro, a Tecno Spark 8, groceries, and other items. They went to the lounge and took a 55-inch Samsung TV.
The suspects also raided a tuck shop on the property, severely assaulting Bosco Chidukudze before stealing a small Samsung cell phone.
The total value of goods stolen in the second robbery was US$13,220 and nothing has been recovered.
The two suspects, Vhiya and Maisvoreva, now face serious charges of armed robbery and will remain in custody pending further investigations.
