HARARE – Police have arrested two more suspects linked to a spate of armed robberies involving four rogue members of the Zimbabwe National Army and civilians.
The two are Thembinkosi Matutu, aged 47, and Batsirai Hutsi, 21.
Matutu and Hutsi appeared before Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa who remanded them in custody to August 6 for their routine remand.
The state alleges the two committed robbery on 20 December 2023.
Prosecutors allege that together with suspects yet to be apprehended, they scaled over the fence into the victim, Hamiltons’ yard whilst armed with some firearms and machetes.
The accused proceeded to manhandle Rhea Hamilton who is the wife of the complainant Duncan Hamilton who were all in the kitchen.
They demanded cash at gunpoint.
It is further alleged they struck the complainant several times on his head with a machete until he fell unconscious.
They then allegedly stole the complainant’s iPhone pro max 13 and continued demanding for cash.
A frightened Hamilton then led them to his car which was parked in the garage from which they seized US$16,000 cash.
“Accused further took some jewellery from the complainant’s wife valued at US$2,500. Total value stolen is US$19,800 and nothing was recovered,” prosecutors alleged.
Investigations carried out led to the arrest of Matutu in Epworth who then implicated Hutsi.
He further indicated that the firearms which they used in the commission of the offence were being kept by Hutsi.
Upon his arrest, Hutsi led detectives to his home where police recovered a 38 special Smith and Wesson revolver serial number 722979 loaded one live cartridge and a 9mm Llama pistol – serial number obliterated – which they used in the commission of the offence.
The two were earlier this year implicated in other robberies in which they allegedly teamed up with army Corporals Owen Mbayi, 37, and Simbarashe Vhazhure, 33, as well as Sergeants Promise Mussa, 36, Farai Chauke, aged 38.
The other accomplices are Innocent Chawaguta, 37, from Chihota; Tafadzwa Chirinda Charute, 36, of Epworth, Harare; Tapiwa Chigwaze 39, from Domboshava; Winston Matizanadzo, 46, from Ruwa and Kamuriwo Mudziwaona, a 39-year-old security guard who lives in Timire Park, Ruwa, Old Windsor.
They were all remanded in custody awaiting their trial. – Cou