Police in Bulawayo have arrested two men who are suspected to have been involved in multiple armed robbery cases countrywide, where they stole more than US$65 000 AND ZAR20 000 and various other properties.
The pair is alleged to be part of an eight- men gang that went on a robbery spree between October 2018 and March 6, 2019.
According to state documents, the gang stole a total US$65 000, ZAR28 000 and RTGS$7 358.
Christopher Danda (36) of Cowdray Park suburb in Bulawayo and Edward Ronald Chigwida (32) of Glen View suburb in Harare allegedly shot and injured three people in Harare, where they stole cash and property worth thousands of dollars.
Chigwida and Danda are facing five charges of armed robbery.
Some of the allegations they are facing are from offences they are suspected to have committed in Gweru and Nyamandlovu.
Three of their accomplices Joseph Hazvinei, Terrence Nyakudyara and Alfred Mangwiro Chitate were arrested in Gweru and are currently on remand.
Bulawayo magistrate Franklin Mkhwananzi, Tuesday, remanded Chigwida and Danda in custody to May 20.
Magistrate Mkhwananzi advised the pair to apply to the High Court for bail.
Prosecutor Mufaro Mageza told the court that on May 6 at around 7:30 pm Chigwida and Danda, who were in the company of their accomplices proceeded to a house in Tynwald North suburb in Harare, armed with firearms.
Mageza said they manhandled the owner of the house and ordered him to comply with their instructions.
“The complainant, who was also armed with a pistol fired warning shots but the suspects retaliated by shooting him on the right hand. They disarmed him before force marching him into the house where they fired three more shots, injuring the maid Susan Mudzinganyama on the right thigh,” said Mageza.
“They allegedly ordered everyone in the house to lie down on their stomachs before ransacking the house and stealing US$40 000, R13 000, $2 000 which was locked in the safe. It is alleged that they also stole three cell phones, car keys and gate remote controls. The complainant’s neighbours were attracted by the gunshots and they gathered at the gate.”
Mageza further alleged that the suspects loaded their loot in the VW Gold car but could not drive past the crowd gathered at the gate.
“They grabbed their loot and walked out of the gate while indiscriminately firing shots to scare away the mob before disappearing into the darkness,” he said.
The state prosecutor said in the second count Danda, Chigwida and their accomplices raided a house in Hatfield, Harare where they shot their victim in the hand.
“They allegedly force-marched him into the house whey they allegedly identified themselves as police officers to Sinikiwe Mangwende intending to carry out a search before requesting her to open the door. They demanded money from the couple while threatening to kill them if they do not hand over safe keys,” said Mageza.
The court heard they allegedly stole US10 000, RTGS$3 500 and R15 000, a pistol loaded with 8 rounds of ammunition and three cell phones.
“They tied the couple`s hands and legs with ropes before stealing a Toyota Prado which they dumped near Chikwana shopping Centre in Chitungwiza,” said Mageza.
Further state allegations are that on April 9 at around 7 am and in Eastlea, Harare the gang raided a house where they tied the maid with ropes and stole jewellery, two television sets, bags and clothes.
They allegedly waited for the maid’s employer and when she arrived at the house at 2 pm, they searched her handbag and stole US$300 and RTGS$3 000 before escaping in her car which they later dumped.
In another charge, they robbed Mitchel John and Memory Moyo of cash and a cell phone.
Mageza said of the stolen cash and property only $35 000 was recovered.
