News / National
4 suspects arrested over Mukuru Booth robberies
4 hrs ago | Views
Four more suspects have been arrested in connection with a series of armed robberies targeting Mukuru money transfer booths across Harare and nearby areas.
The suspects, Joseph Bilson Makoni (30), Tatenda Madhirize (28), Ggies Siziba, and Evans Mabvakure (47), appeared before Harare Magistrate Mrs. Tilda Mazhande facing seven counts of robbery and one count of unlawful possession of explosives. They were remanded in custody until January 30, with instructions to apply for bail at the High Court.
The arrests follow a string of violent robberies where gangs, armed with firearms, terrorized victims and stole substantial amounts of cash. The Mukuru booths, which provide essential financial services to the public, were specifically targeted in these coordinated attacks.
One of the suspects' alleged accomplices, Clever Chada, appeared in court earlier this week. Chada admitted to two counts of armed robbery and one count of possessing explosives without a permit. He denied five additional robbery charges and was also remanded in custody until January 30, when he will face further proceedings.
Prosecutor Mr. Anesu Chirenje told the court that the gang executed multiple robberies between December 2023 and January 2024. Their crimes included an attack on a Mukuru booth at Glen View 2 Shopping Centre on December 16, during which they fired shots to create panic before stealing US$1,839 and R2,350. A customer, Proud Muchairi, was also robbed of US$950 during the incident.
On December 20, the gang allegedly struck another Mukuru booth in Mabvuku, making off with US$1,374 and R22,000. In a heist on January 3 in Manyame, they targeted employees, stealing cash boxes containing US$5,530, R18,700, and an additional US$680 from a nearby EcoCash booth. Another robbery occurred on January 11 at a Mukuru booth in Beatrice, where staff were forced to hand over US$3,500 and mobile phones worth US$4,050.
Despite the arrests, none of the stolen money has been recovered. The case has raised serious concerns about the security of money transfer services, which many rely on for their financial transactions. Authorities are continuing investigations to recover the stolen funds and dismantle the criminal network responsible for the robberies.
The suspects, Joseph Bilson Makoni (30), Tatenda Madhirize (28), Ggies Siziba, and Evans Mabvakure (47), appeared before Harare Magistrate Mrs. Tilda Mazhande facing seven counts of robbery and one count of unlawful possession of explosives. They were remanded in custody until January 30, with instructions to apply for bail at the High Court.
The arrests follow a string of violent robberies where gangs, armed with firearms, terrorized victims and stole substantial amounts of cash. The Mukuru booths, which provide essential financial services to the public, were specifically targeted in these coordinated attacks.
One of the suspects' alleged accomplices, Clever Chada, appeared in court earlier this week. Chada admitted to two counts of armed robbery and one count of possessing explosives without a permit. He denied five additional robbery charges and was also remanded in custody until January 30, when he will face further proceedings.
Prosecutor Mr. Anesu Chirenje told the court that the gang executed multiple robberies between December 2023 and January 2024. Their crimes included an attack on a Mukuru booth at Glen View 2 Shopping Centre on December 16, during which they fired shots to create panic before stealing US$1,839 and R2,350. A customer, Proud Muchairi, was also robbed of US$950 during the incident.
On December 20, the gang allegedly struck another Mukuru booth in Mabvuku, making off with US$1,374 and R22,000. In a heist on January 3 in Manyame, they targeted employees, stealing cash boxes containing US$5,530, R18,700, and an additional US$680 from a nearby EcoCash booth. Another robbery occurred on January 11 at a Mukuru booth in Beatrice, where staff were forced to hand over US$3,500 and mobile phones worth US$4,050.
Despite the arrests, none of the stolen money has been recovered. The case has raised serious concerns about the security of money transfer services, which many rely on for their financial transactions. Authorities are continuing investigations to recover the stolen funds and dismantle the criminal network responsible for the robberies.
Source - the herald
