News / National
Suspected armed robber arrested over $1.26 million ABC Auctions heist
16 Mar 2026 at 20:46hrs |
514 Views
A suspected armed robber, Bibience Bondamakara of Ruwa, appeared before the Harare Regional Magistrates' Court on Saturday, facing charges of robbing ABC Auctions of over US$1 million in cash and jewellery in a carefully planned heist.
The accused was arraigned before Magistrate Mrs Learnmore Mapiye on charges of armed robbery. Prosecutor Kudakwashe Muza told the court that the robbery occurred in the early hours of October 8, 2022. The company was represented by senior manager Booysen Danyal Radley.
According to the prosecution, Bondamakara and accomplices scaled the precast wall surrounding the premises at around 1 a.m., armed with pistols. They reportedly overpowered security guards Langton Ziromba and Editor Meda, tying their hands and legs with shoelaces and confiscating mobile phones, a panic button, and bloodhounds.
The gang then forced one guard to control the bloodhounds while they broke into the main office, using grinders and explosives to access six safes. They escaped with US$1,014,000 in cash and jewellery valued at US$250,000, including high-end watches, gold rings, diamonds, necklaces, gold coins, and luxury items such as a Rolex Oyster Perpetual 18k gold watch, Cartier fountain pens, and a gold link bracelet. The total value of the stolen goods was US$1,264,031.
Detectives received intelligence linking Bondamakara to the heist and other robbery cases on October 11, 2022. A raid at his home, conducted in the presence of his wife, Fransisca Marume, recovered part of the stolen jewellery valued at US$100,656, though he initially evaded arrest.
After several months on the run, Bondamakara was finally apprehended on March 12 and remanded to face trial.
The accused was arraigned before Magistrate Mrs Learnmore Mapiye on charges of armed robbery. Prosecutor Kudakwashe Muza told the court that the robbery occurred in the early hours of October 8, 2022. The company was represented by senior manager Booysen Danyal Radley.
According to the prosecution, Bondamakara and accomplices scaled the precast wall surrounding the premises at around 1 a.m., armed with pistols. They reportedly overpowered security guards Langton Ziromba and Editor Meda, tying their hands and legs with shoelaces and confiscating mobile phones, a panic button, and bloodhounds.
Detectives received intelligence linking Bondamakara to the heist and other robbery cases on October 11, 2022. A raid at his home, conducted in the presence of his wife, Fransisca Marume, recovered part of the stolen jewellery valued at US$100,656, though he initially evaded arrest.
After several months on the run, Bondamakara was finally apprehended on March 12 and remanded to face trial.
Source - The Herald
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
