Two remanded over US$108,000 armed robbery at Chinese company in Ruwa

Tinei Makaripe, 43, of Stoneridge, and Pungurai Mukambachaza, 49, of Pomona City, appeared before Harare magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa facing armed robbery charges and were advised to apply for bail at the High Court.

The prosecution alleges that the pair, together with accomplices who remain at large, stormed Xinda Castings in Ruwa on 13 September, armed with pistols.

The gang is said to have scaled the perimeter wall, disguised themselves in company work suits and helmets, and forced two workers to lead them to the offices, where they confronted Chinese national Zhan Lingyue and ransacked the premises before fleeing with a satchel containing US$108,000.

Alert workers gave chase, pelting the fleeing gang with stones. Makaripe, who had fallen behind his accomplices, was struck by a brick and collapsed, allowing workers to capture him while the others escaped.

Police investigations subsequently led to Mukambachaza’s arrest at his home, where US$4,900 allegedly stolen during the robbery was recovered.

The State has also linked the pair to two earlier robberies. On 22 June, they are accused of robbing Redan Service Station in Glaudina at gunpoint, making off with US$500, fuel coupons and a mobile phone taken from a security guard.

On 12 September, they allegedly broke into offices at Kurima Centre in Msasa, armed with pistols, iron bars, machetes and a bolt cutter, but fled empty-handed after a Safeguard reaction team arrived.

The court heard that the suspects had acted in common purpose with accomplices who remain at large.

Police on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of a third suspect, Gabriel Mukambachaza (41), adding that four more suspects, identified as Khule Diva, Mambo Dhuterere, Kasongo and Senior Gama, are still on the run.

The ZRP said Gabriel Mukambachaza was arrested at his rural home in Rusape, where detectives recovered US$5,000, two pistols, a Star pistol loaded with one round and a Tokarev pistol loaded with seven rounds, as well as handcuffs, fuse cables, explosives and three balaclavas.