Two suspected robbers who allegedly robbed Wicknell Chivayo’s in-laws of US$74,000 at their Marondera farm appeared in court on Tuesday, March 25.
Peter Maramba Vhiya (43) and Takudzwa Maisvoreva (24), both from Chitungwiza, faced two counts of robbery before Regional Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa. They were informed that only the High Court could grant bail.
They were remanded to April 10 to allow for the case of a third suspect to be joined with their case.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Lancelot Mutsokoti told the court that on March 18, at around 1 AM, the pair, along with accomplices still at large, raided Alfa and Omega Farm in Marondera while armed with three rifles, two pistols, bolt cutters, machetes, and iron bars.
Mutsokoti further alleged that upon arrival, the suspects 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, disarming him of a shotgun without ammunition.
Rusike was similarly bound and marched to the front guardroom, where a third guard, Medic Zhakata, was also attacked and restrained.
The security guards were left under the watch of two armed accomplices while the rest of the gang broke into the main house.
Using bolt cutters, they forced entry through the burglar screen and kitchen door, eventually confronting Gerald Muteke in his bedroom.
Fearing for his life, Muteke surrendered US$18,000 in cash, a loaded Sarsilmaz pistol, and two Samsung smartphones (an S23 and an S24).
The gang then moved to Vimbai Muteke’s bedroom, where they demanded cash and the safe keys.
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 ultimately fled the scene with a total of US$74,600 in cash and valuables. The police later recovered stolen property worth US$3,800.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/2-suspected-chivayo-lobola-robbers-appear-in-court/">The Herald</a>

Pindula News

Two men are in trouble for stealing money from someone's family. They attacked the guards at a farm with guns and tied them up. They broke into the house and stole lots of money and phones. The robbers also had a shootout with a man who tried to stop them. The police managed to recover some of the stolen items. The two men are in court and will be back in April. They can't get bail until the High Court decides. They were caught with guns and other weapons.

Two Suspected Chivayo Lobola Money Robbers Appear In Court

Three people, including a police officer, have been arrested in connection with an armed robbery at a Marondera farm owned by the in-laws of businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
According to ZimLive, police sources revealed that the three suspects, all from Hopley in Harare, were arrested on Thursday by detectives from the CID Stores and Business division.
A constable, identified as Mukuva from the Kopje Police Station, is reportedly on the run after being linked to the crime.
The robbery occurred in the early hours of March 18, during which an estimated US$74,100 — part of the lobola (bride price) payment made by Chivayo for his wife, Lucy “Lulu” Muteke — was allegedly stolen.
The suspects are scheduled to appear in court on Saturday.
Police believe as many as 20 people, some armed with firearms and machetes, were involved in the daring heist.
More: <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/3-arrested-over-75k-armed-robbery-at-home-of-wicknell-chivayos-inlaws/">ZimLive</a>

Three people, including a police officer, were arrested for robbing a farm owned by Wicknell Chivayo's in-laws in Marondera. The suspects took US$74,000 that was part of a bride price payment. One suspect, a constable, is still on the run. The robbery happened on March 18, and the suspects will appear in court on Saturday. Police think about 20 people with weapons were involved in the robbery. Source: ZimLive.

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