Court orders forfeiture of vehicles linked to robbery gang

The High Court has ordered the civil forfeiture of eight motor vehicles allegedly linked to a suspected eight-member robbery syndicate accused of terrorising residents in Harare and Ruwa.

The ruling, handed down by the High Court in Harare, represents a significant step in the State's strategy of targeting assets believed to have been used in criminal activities, particularly in cases involving suspects who remain at large.

The forfeiture order arises from the case of The Prosecutor-General versus Square Chimweta and Seven Others. The suspects named in the matter are Square Chimweta, Hilton Mutsopotsi, Daniel Chijoko, Joseph Meki, Leonard Huni, Makudo Muzenda, Stephen Mudzingwa and Sam Malunga.

According to court records, the suspects are alleged to have been involved in a series of armed robberies in Harare and Ruwa. Several of the accused have not yet been apprehended.

The court authorised the seizure of eight vehicles allegedly connected to the suspects. The fleet reportedly includes a range of vehicles, from hatchbacks and utility vehicles to high-end sedans.

In a move aimed at preventing the transfer or concealment of the assets, the court also cited the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) as the ninth respondent in the matter. The CVR was directed to register the vehicles as State property, effectively barring any attempts to transfer ownership or reclaim the assets through third parties.

The judgment has been welcomed by the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), which described the ruling as a significant development in the fight against organised crime.

In a statement, the NPAZ said the decision reinforces the State's constitutional mandate to recover assets suspected to be proceeds of crime or used to facilitate criminal activities through civil forfeiture proceedings.

Legal experts say civil forfeiture has increasingly become an important tool for law enforcement agencies, particularly in cases where suspects evade arrest for extended periods. By targeting vehicles, property and other assets allegedly linked to criminal enterprises, authorities aim to disrupt operations and reduce the ability of fugitives to continue their activities while avoiding capture.

The forfeited vehicles will now be transferred to State ownership in accordance with the court order, while efforts to locate and arrest the suspects continue.