Three suspected armed robbers who were part of a gang that has been terrorising people in Chinhoyi have been arrested.
The three are James Dzapasi Maravanyika, aged 31 of Ruvimbo Phase 1, Chinhoyi, Honest Magutse, aged 29 of Kuwadzana, Banket and Never Soza, aged 40 of Chikonohono,
Chinhoyi.
They are facing 11 counts of robbery and two counts of unlawful entry and theft cases which they committed in and around Chinhoyi.
Criminal Investigations Department (CID) spokesperson Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri confirmed the arrest.
“During the period extending from June 28, 2024, to August 23, 2024, the trio, together with their accomplice, Jona Muzava aka Angazi of Mapinga Compound, Banket, who is
still at large went on a robbing spree,” she said.
“Armed with a firearm, the accused persons would force open locked doors, gain entry, and in most cases, threaten the complainants before robbing them of valuables such as
lithium batteries, laptops and their accessories, cellphones, television set clothes, and other household property.”
On August 14, 2024, the trio also pounced on one of the complainants while armed with a firearm, and threatened her before demanding cash which they claimed to know she
had received from a social money club.
They ransacked her house and got away with US$736 and other household property.
In another incident, they robbed and gang raped another complainant before getting away with valuables.
Their luck ran out on August 26, 2024 following information received that Maravanyika was behind the commission of the crimes.
Follow ups were made leading to his arrest in Hillside industrial area, Chinhoyi. Upon being interviewed, he implicated his accomplices who were subsequently arrested.
A pellet gun, two lithium batteries, laptop and laptop accessories, a television set, and various cellphones and clothes were recovered following the arrest of the trio.
The complainants have since identified the recovered property. The trio appeared at Chinhoyi Regional Court and were remanded in custody for sentencing.
“We are now appealing for information that may lead to the arrest of the outstanding suspect, Jona Muzava aka Angazi of Mapinga Compound, Banket,” Detective Insp Muteweri
said.
“In the same vein, the Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to applaud members of the public for their concerted effort in the fight against crime. — Herald
