Harare – Bigboy Nampungo, a 27-year-old man, has been sentenced to 60 years in prison, effectively serving 30 years, for his involvement in the armed robbery that targeted the in-laws of prominent businessman Wicknell Chivayo in Marondera. The swift conclusion of this case, just under two weeks after Nampungo pleaded guilty, is a stark contrast to the often lengthy court proceedings typical in Zimbabwe.
Nampungo appeared before Harare Magistrate Jesse Kufa, where he pleaded guilty to six counts of armed robbery. He received a 10-year sentence for each count. He is currently the only one of the accused to have pleaded guilty, with his accomplices remaining in custody, awaiting the outcome of their bail appeals.
The State, represented by Shambadzeni Fungura, presented a detailed account of the robbery, which took place on March 18, 2025, at Alfa Omega Farm in Marondera. Nampungo, along with his accomplices, targeted several individuals on the property, including security guards and residents.
The first count involved the attack on Zecks Mutasharusike, a 51-year-old private security guard. The gang, armed with rifles, pistols, machetes, and iron bars, overpowered Mutasharusike, disarming him of his service firearm and stealing his personal belongings, including two cell phones and a communication radio. They then tied him up, assaulted him, and demanded information about the farm’s security before confining him in the guard room. The stolen property was valued at US$1,560, with only US$30 worth of property later recovered.
The second count detailed the assault and robbery of Petros Mabhunu, a 25-year-old security guard at the same farm. Mabhunu attempted to flee but was caught, tied up, and robbed of his button stick and torch. The stolen items were valued at US$45, with no recovery made.
Medic Zhakata, a 32-year-old security guard, was the victim in the third count. He was assaulted, threatened with a firearm, tied up, and taken to join the other security guards. Zhakata lost a cell phone and an eversharp pen, valued at US$14.
Tinotenda Shoniwa, a 24-year-old resident of Alfa Omega Farm, was the complainant in the fourth count. The robbers entered her bedroom while she was asleep, brandishing a half-brick and a kitchen knife. They stole her Samsung cell phone and two power banks, with the total value of stolen goods amounting to US$360. Property valued at US$3 was later recovered.
Gerald Gara Muteke, a 36-year-old farmer and one of Wicknell Chivayo’s in-laws, was targeted in the fifth count. After hearing noises in his house, Muteke was confronted by the assailants, including Nampungo, who broke into his bedroom and stole US$18,000 in cash, a 9mm pistol, and two Samsung phones. The robbers reportedly demanded that Muteke lead them to the safe. The total value of stolen items was US$25,000, with property worth US$2,500 recovered.
The final count involved Vimbai Muteke, a 42-year-old self-employed woman and also one of Chivayo’s in-laws. She was attacked in her bedroom, and the robbers stole US$1,100 in cash and a Samsung A35 phone. They then forced her to lead them to the main bedroom, where they stole an additional US$53,000 from the family safe. The total value of stolen property amounted to US$54,100, with no recovery made.
The stolen cell phones were found dumped in the farmyard on March 19, 2025.
The investigation into the robbery led detectives to recover goods purchased with the proceeds, including two heifers, a 32-inch television, clothes, building materials, solar batteries, and an inverter. These items were traced to Nyatsime, where Nampungo was apprehended.
The sentencing of Nampungo comes as police have to date arrested eight suspects in connection with the robbery of US$74,000 from the in-laws of businessman Wicknell Chivayo in Marondera. Five more suspects from Chitungwiza appeared in court on Friday, accused of robbing Mr Wicknell Chivayo’s in-laws of US$74,000 at their farm in Marondera. Garikai Shangwa (43), Temptation Gerald Dinhidza (44), Arnold Tafirei (38), Tawanda Mushayatu (45) and Mike Mhaka (45) appeared before regional magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa, each facing two counts of robbery. Only the High Court can grant bail in robbery cases, and the five were remanded in custody to April 10.
These arrests bring the total number of suspects who have appeared in court in connection with the Marondera robbery to eight, following the arraignment of Peter Maramba Vhiya (39) and Takudzwa Maisvoreva (24) last week. Adding another layer of intrigue to the case, a Constable Mukuva from Kopje police station has allegedly gone on the run after being linked to the armed raid. Law enforcement sources revealed that the constable is suspected of involvement in the robbery, which targeted the US$74,000 that was reportedly part of the cash Chivayo paid as lobola for his wife Lulu Muteke. The pair will be jointly charged with another suspect already in custody when they return to court on April 10.
Prosecutor Mr Lancelot Mutsokoti told the court that on March 18, at around 1 am, the eight suspects, along with accomplices who are still at large, raided Alfa and Omega Farm in Marondera while armed with three rifles, two pistols, bolt cutters, machetes and iron bars. The gang reportedly ambushed Petros Mabunhu, a security guard employed by DM Security, assaulting him with iron bars and kicking him repeatedly. They tied his hands and legs with cable ties before forcing him into the farmyard. There, they encountered another guard, Zex Mutasa Rusike, and seized his shotgun, which was not loaded. They also tied Rusike and force marched him to the front guardroom, where a third guard, Medic Zhakata, was also attacked and restrained.
Two suspects were left guarding the three guards while the rest broke into the main house. They used bolt cutters to break through the burglar screen and kitchen door before confronting Mr Gerald Muteke in his bedroom. Fearing for his life, Mr Muteke surrendered US$18 000 in cash, a loaded Sarsilmaz pistol, and two Samsung smartphones (S23 and S24).
The gang then proceeded to Vimbai Muteke’s bedroom, where they demanded cash and keys to the safe. She handed over US$1 100, the safe key, and a Samsung Galaxy A35. Inside the main bedroom safe, the robbers took an additional US$55 000. As the robbers continued their raid, Elphas Maruta, armed with a Lee-Enfield .303 rifle loaded with four rounds, advanced toward the house after being alerted of the robbery.
A shootout ensued, with Maruta firing two shots and the suspects firing back three shots. The gang fled with a total of US$74 600 in cash and valuables. Police later recovered stolen property worth US$3 800.
The suspects were also implicated in a separate robbery on February 25, targeting Cossam Siminya at his residence. Around 3am, the gang, armed with pistols, sjamboks, iron bars, and a hammer, broke into Mr Siminya and his wife Precious Makore’s home. Ms Makore was awoken by the barking of dogs and alerted her husband after hearing banging noises at the back door. She called on neighbours to help while the robbers were forcing their way into the house.
The robbers allegedly confronted Panashe Zhuwawo, who was sleeping in a spare bedroom, and took his cellphone. Neighbours who responded to the call for help fled after one of the robbers fired two shots into the air. Meanwhile, the gang confronted another resident, Jane Manokore, stealing a 49-inch Samsung television set, cash totalling US$700, a cellphone and other valuables.
The robbers then entered Mr Siminya’s bedroom and stole US$10 000 in cash, an iPhone 14 Pro, a Tecno Spark 8, groceries, and other items. The suspects also raided a tuck shop on the property and severely assaulted Bosco Chidukudze before stealing a small Samsung cellphone. The total value of goods stolen in the second robbery was US$13 220 and nothing has been recovered.