A 24-year-old man from Budiriro appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court on August 9, 2024, facing charges of armed robbery involving over USD194,000. The accused is part of a group that allegedly staged a brazen heist targeting a motorist traveling from Bulawayo to Harare.
The court heard that on August 4, 2024, the accused, along with his accomplices, including the complainant’s driver who is now in custody, orchestrated an elaborate plan to rob the victim. According to the allegations, the gang set up a fake roadblock along the route, posing as police officers. The complainant’s vehicle, a Toyota Hiace driven by one of the accomplices, Richard Banda, was flagged down at the roadblock.
Upon stopping the vehicle, the accused and his accomplices allegedly approached the complainant, threatened to arrest him, and forcibly opened the door. They are said to have made off with a bag containing USD193,900, an iPhone 13, and the vehicle’s keys. The gang fled the scene in a getaway car, a Nissan Note.
The robbery was promptly reported to the police, leading to an investigation that resulted in the arrest of the accused. Authorities also managed to recover USD100,442 and the Nissan Note believed to have been used in the heist.
During the arrest, the accused reportedly attempted to evade capture, sustaining a bullet wound in the process. He is currently receiving medical treatment at Parirenyatwa Hospital under police custody after being denied bail
