News / National
'Prophet' on robbery spree
23 Sep 2014 at 06:32hrs | Views
Police have bust a six-man armed robbery gang led by a "bogus" prophet who reportedly insisted on visiting his unsuspecting targets' homes for "prayers" before unleashing his gang on them.
During the visits, the prophet would assess the security set-up at these people's homes and how best to pounce on them.
The Harare Magistrates' Court heard yesterday that Moreblessing Zinyawu (24), a prophet with an apostolic church, would give people false prophesies of an imminent robbery attack and claimed to have powers to reverse such attacks.
He would advise the victims to comply with the robber's demands if ever the prophecy is not reversed, saying he was seeing death coming.
Zinyawu yesterday appeared in court together with his accomplices John Mada (44), Aaron Mfiri (44), Lloyd Munyurwa (38), Tarwirei Kasawaya (40) and Confidence Mutemachani (40).
Magistrate Mr Milton Serima remanded them in custody to October 6 this year.
He advised them to apply for bail at the High Court.
They are being represented by Mr Everson Chatambudza of Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practitioners.
Prosecutor Miss Sharon Mashavira alleges that on September 15 the gang and another accomplice who is still at large went to Kudzanai Maenzanise's house, while Mutemachani was wearing police uniform.
This was after Maenzanise had sought spiritual help from Zinyawu, who later went with him to his house for "prayers".
The court heard that Zinyawu went to brief his accomplices on his observations.
It is the State's case that upon arrival at Menzanise's house, they pretended to be police officers from Kwekwe who had come to arrest Maenzanise for stealing cement.
They ordered Maenzanise and his wife to accompany them to Harare Central Police Station to produce invoices and receipts to prove they had bought the cement in question.
After driving for a distance, one of the gang members allegedly produced a gun and pointed it at Maenzanise demanding money.
It is alleged that they handcuffed Maenzanise and his wife before covering their faces with sacks.
They allegedly searched the couple and took away US$1 820 and a mobile phone before threatening to rape the wife if she did not produce more money and valuables.
The court further heard that the gang made a U-turn and went back to Maenzanise's home and ransacked the house and went away with US$2 280 and 10 rounds of ammunition, which were in a locked cabinet.
Using the same method, the gang allegedly robbed Kudakwashe Matongo of US$500, a pistol and clothing among other property.
During the visits, the prophet would assess the security set-up at these people's homes and how best to pounce on them.
The Harare Magistrates' Court heard yesterday that Moreblessing Zinyawu (24), a prophet with an apostolic church, would give people false prophesies of an imminent robbery attack and claimed to have powers to reverse such attacks.
He would advise the victims to comply with the robber's demands if ever the prophecy is not reversed, saying he was seeing death coming.
Zinyawu yesterday appeared in court together with his accomplices John Mada (44), Aaron Mfiri (44), Lloyd Munyurwa (38), Tarwirei Kasawaya (40) and Confidence Mutemachani (40).
Magistrate Mr Milton Serima remanded them in custody to October 6 this year.
He advised them to apply for bail at the High Court.
They are being represented by Mr Everson Chatambudza of Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practitioners.
Prosecutor Miss Sharon Mashavira alleges that on September 15 the gang and another accomplice who is still at large went to Kudzanai Maenzanise's house, while Mutemachani was wearing police uniform.
This was after Maenzanise had sought spiritual help from Zinyawu, who later went with him to his house for "prayers".
The court heard that Zinyawu went to brief his accomplices on his observations.
It is the State's case that upon arrival at Menzanise's house, they pretended to be police officers from Kwekwe who had come to arrest Maenzanise for stealing cement.
They ordered Maenzanise and his wife to accompany them to Harare Central Police Station to produce invoices and receipts to prove they had bought the cement in question.
After driving for a distance, one of the gang members allegedly produced a gun and pointed it at Maenzanise demanding money.
It is alleged that they handcuffed Maenzanise and his wife before covering their faces with sacks.
They allegedly searched the couple and took away US$1 820 and a mobile phone before threatening to rape the wife if she did not produce more money and valuables.
The court further heard that the gang made a U-turn and went back to Maenzanise's home and ransacked the house and went away with US$2 280 and 10 rounds of ammunition, which were in a locked cabinet.
Using the same method, the gang allegedly robbed Kudakwashe Matongo of US$500, a pistol and clothing among other property.
Source - The Herald
