News / National
SA based Zimbabweans arrested for stashing explosives in loaf of bread
15 Aug 2014 at 07:03hrs | Views
Three South Africa-based Zimbabweans have been arrested after they were found in possession of explosives stashed in a loaf of bread which they allegedly wanted to use to blow-up safes and steal money at Mupandawana Growth Point.
Rosemary Hamadziripi (35), originally of Mbizo 4 in Kwekwe, Joachim Veremu (34) of Zvishavane and Nicole Isaac (19) of Riverside in Gweru were also found in possession of electrical codes, chisels, bolt cutters and a pair of gloves. They allegedly wanted to use the items to rob two big supermarket chains at the growth point.
The trio has since appeared before Gutu resident magistrate Mr Nyasha Vitorini facing charges of possessing articles for criminal use. Mr Vitorini last Friday remanded them in custody to today.
This was to give the State time to establish the type of explosives carried by the accused. It is alleged that last Thursday, the accused entered Mupandawana Growth Point from an unknown place in South Africa where they stay. They were allegedly in possession of an unknown type of explosives and other items such as bolt cutters, chisels and electrical codes.
Prosecutor Ms Beatrice Mukaro alleged that the three hid the explosives in a loaf of bread and milled around the growth point identifying supermarkets and shops that were recording brisk business on the eve of the Heroes Day and Zimbabwe Defence Forces holiday.
It is believed they wanted to hit Nice Time and N-Richards supermarkets at the growth point and waited at a local motel to fine-tune their plans. Luck ran out of them after suspicious patrons at the motel alerted the police of the presence of strangers.
Upon interrogation by the police, the trio claimed they were coming to collect a girl named Nicole from school. They were arrested after being found in possession of chisels, bolt cutters, matches, gloves and electrical codes which they failed to explain.
The three were taken to Gutu police station holding cells where police further discovered some explosives hidden in a loaf of bread carried by one of the accused.
Rosemary Hamadziripi (35), originally of Mbizo 4 in Kwekwe, Joachim Veremu (34) of Zvishavane and Nicole Isaac (19) of Riverside in Gweru were also found in possession of electrical codes, chisels, bolt cutters and a pair of gloves. They allegedly wanted to use the items to rob two big supermarket chains at the growth point.
The trio has since appeared before Gutu resident magistrate Mr Nyasha Vitorini facing charges of possessing articles for criminal use. Mr Vitorini last Friday remanded them in custody to today.
This was to give the State time to establish the type of explosives carried by the accused. It is alleged that last Thursday, the accused entered Mupandawana Growth Point from an unknown place in South Africa where they stay. They were allegedly in possession of an unknown type of explosives and other items such as bolt cutters, chisels and electrical codes.
It is believed they wanted to hit Nice Time and N-Richards supermarkets at the growth point and waited at a local motel to fine-tune their plans. Luck ran out of them after suspicious patrons at the motel alerted the police of the presence of strangers.
Upon interrogation by the police, the trio claimed they were coming to collect a girl named Nicole from school. They were arrested after being found in possession of chisels, bolt cutters, matches, gloves and electrical codes which they failed to explain.
The three were taken to Gutu police station holding cells where police further discovered some explosives hidden in a loaf of bread carried by one of the accused.
Source - The Herald
