Four men have appeared in court over allegations that they impersonated police officers to rob motorists in Harare, stealing more than US$168,000.
Trust Jimu, 37, Tawanda Musendo, 36, Evans Chimunsi, 46, and Tafadzwa Matigimu, 34, face three counts of armed robbery.
The four appeared before Harare regional magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa last week. They were advised to seek bail from the High Court and remain in custody until 22 October.
Prosecutors allege the suspects worked with an accomplice who remains at large. The group allegedly approached motorists, accused them of dangerous parking and handcuffed them.
They then allegedly searched their victims’ vehicles before taking cash at gunpoint.
Suspects Allegedly Targeted Motorists in Harare
Prosecutor Lawrence Gangarahwe told the court that the first incident occurred on 26 April at approximately 5.20 pm.
The suspects allegedly approached Tonderai Makaluwa and Nyasha Chiponda at the corner of Third Street and Josiah Chinamano Street. The pair were sitting inside a Toyota Auris when the men allegedly identified themselves as police officers.
The suspects accused them of dangerous parking and ordered them to open the vehicle’s doors. They allegedly handcuffed both occupants before searching the car.
During the search, the group allegedly discovered a satchel containing cash. They then accused the two men of money laundering and forced them into the back seat.
One of the suspects allegedly drove away, claiming he would take them to CID Headquarters to surrender the money.
However, the court heard that the driver instead travelled around the city. He eventually stopped near the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) offices along Herbert Chitepo Avenue.
One complainant was allegedly abandoned there after being told he would enter the ZACC offices.
Meanwhile, the suspects allegedly continued driving with the second complainant towards Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo Expressway, formerly Airport Road.
During the journey, one suspect allegedly produced a pistol and pointed it at the complainant. He also accused the victim of committing a serious offence.
The group allegedly stopped along the expressway, took a bag containing US$164,192 and abandoned him.
Second Victim Allegedly Forced to Send Money
The prosecution also outlined a second alleged robbery involving Oliver Tsongorera on 15 July.
At around 6 pm, Tsongorera was sitting inside a Volvo at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Josiah Tongogara Avenue.
The suspects allegedly approached him using the same method. They claimed to be police officers, accused him of dangerous parking and handcuffed him.
After searching his vehicle, they allegedly took US$700 and demanded additional money through EcoCash.
Fearing for his safety, Tsongorera contacted his friend, Tanaka Musiiwa, for assistance. Musiiwa allegedly sent US$550 through EcoCash.
However, the suspects reportedly refused to release Tsongorera immediately. The court heard that they only freed him around 10.30 pm after he had withdrawn the money.
The four accused remain in custody as the case proceeds. Their alleged accomplice is still at large.
The post Four Suspected Robbers Accused of Posing as Police to Steal US$168,000 appeared first on iHarare News.
