A gang of robbers, fed with information by an inside
accomplice, robbed a Harare businessman of US$59 000, by pretending to be
police officers enforcing lockdown regulations and then two of them squandered
the money on Mercedes Benz vehicles, leaving the informer out.
Simba Kanyepi (24), an illegal foreign currency dealer who
works for and stays with the victim, allegedly connived with Hemish Chagadama
(32) and Shingai Mazviwanza (29) to rob Mr Luke Kwezera of his money, with
Kanyepi keeping the robbery gang posted on Mr Kwezera’s movements with money.
The three appeared in court yesterday before magistrate Mr
Richard Ramaboa charged with robbery. They were freed on $5 000 bail each and
ordered to report to the police daily pending their next court appearance on
May 27.
Representing the State, Messrs Hatizivo Chatikobo and
Norman Karopi alleged that the three had planned to rob Mr Kwezera as soon as
they knew he would be carrying a large sum away from home.
On April 24, he decided to go to a car sales in Newlands to
see a client who wanted a lot of cash in United States dollars.
So at noon, Kanyepi, who was in the same car as Mr Kwezera,
texted Chagadama and Mazviwanza telling them that his boss was carrying US$59
000, where it was hidden in the car, and where they were going.
The gang members raced to the same car sale. They told
Kanyepi not to continue texting them since they had spotted the two and would
be following them.
After the intended money transaction had failed, Mr Kwezera
passed through town on his way home.
Chagadama, Mazviwanza and others who are still at large who
had been following his car suddenly blocked it at the intersection of Sam
Nujoma Street and Robert Mugabe Road in the city centre.
Three of the robbers were wearing police uniform and holding
batons.
They reportedly confronted Mr Kwezera demanding his permit
to move around since the country was under lockdown.
Then they allegedly slapped him, took his car keys from the
ignition, handcuffed him and bundled him into the back seat. They searched him
and took his three cellphones, a Samsung J4, Samsung M30 and Samsung M20.
In the melee, a silver Mercedes Benz arrived with other
members of the gang.
The gang grabbed the US dollars, and kept Mr Kwezera and
Kanyepi who was still pretending to be a victim, in his car and said they would
drive the two to Rhodesville Police Station.
Instead, these other robbers drove Mr Kwezera’s vehicle to
the roundabout at the intersection of Mutare Road and Harare Drive, where they
removed the handcuffs from him before dumping the two and making good their
escape.
Chagadama and Mazviwanza bought vehicles with their share
of the loot two days after the robbery, while Kanyepi told the police that he
was still to get his share, it is alleged.
The new vehicles that the two bought are being held as
exhibits, while police have information on the communication among gang members
before, during and after the commission of the crime. Herald
0 comments:
Post a Comment