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Gang behind robbery at Chivayo in-laws' farm jailed for 1,000 years
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EIGHTEEN armed robbers have been sentenced to a combined 1 179 years in prison for a violent raid on a Marondera farmhouse belonging to the in-laws of millionaire businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
Harare magistrate Masaiona Shotgame handed down the sentences on Tuesday following a full trial in which all 18 accused pleaded not guilty.
The convicts are Kelvin Murehwa, Peter Maramba Vhiya, Takudzwa Maisvoreva, Garikayi Shangwa, Temptations Gerald Dinhidza, Arnold Tafirei, Tawanda Mushayatu, Mike Mhaka, Obvious Mutaka, Kennedy Kuzvinzwa, Adonia Dhliwayo, Charles Chokera, Arnold M. Mutinhidza, Shingirai Bhaureni, Stephen M. Chakanetsa, Dave Saurombe, Taurai Mushawemhuka and Felix Marongedze.
Murehwa, Vhiya, Maisvoreva, Shangwa, Dinhidza, Tafirei, Mushayatu, Mhaka and Bhaureni were each sentenced to an effective 76 years in prison.
Mutaka, Kuzvinzwa, Dhliwayo, Chokera, Mutinhidza, Chakanetsa, Saurombe, Mushawemhuka and Marongedze each received effective 55-year prison terms.
Large portions of the sentences will run concurrently.
Prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti proved that the gang carried out the armed robbery at Alpha and Omega Farm on March 18, 2025, just days after Chivayo paid lobola for his wife, Lucy Muteke.
The court heard that the gang arrived at the farm at around 1am armed with three rifles, two pistols, machetes, iron bars and two bolt cutters.
The robbers first attacked security guards Petros Mabunhu and Medic Zhakata with iron bars before forcing one of them to lead them to the farmhouse bedrooms.
They confronted Gerald Muteke and stole US$18 000 in cash, a pistol loaded with eight rounds of ammunition and a Samsung S23 cellphone.
The gang then confronted Vimbai Muteke, who surrendered US$1 100, a safe key and a Samsung Galaxy A35 cellphone.
They forced her to open a safe in the main bedroom, from which they stole a further US$55 000.
The robbers also raided the home of Cossam Siminya, stealing US$10 000, two Samsung television sets, several cellphones, groceries and other valuables.
Before leaving the area, the gang targeted a nearby tuckshop, where they severely assaulted owner Bosco Chidukudze and stole his cellphone.
The gang was eventually arrested and convicted on multiple counts of armed robbery, bringing the lengthy criminal case to an end with all 18 accused receiving substantial prison sentences.
Harare magistrate Masaiona Shotgame handed down the sentences on Tuesday following a full trial in which all 18 accused pleaded not guilty.
The convicts are Kelvin Murehwa, Peter Maramba Vhiya, Takudzwa Maisvoreva, Garikayi Shangwa, Temptations Gerald Dinhidza, Arnold Tafirei, Tawanda Mushayatu, Mike Mhaka, Obvious Mutaka, Kennedy Kuzvinzwa, Adonia Dhliwayo, Charles Chokera, Arnold M. Mutinhidza, Shingirai Bhaureni, Stephen M. Chakanetsa, Dave Saurombe, Taurai Mushawemhuka and Felix Marongedze.
Murehwa, Vhiya, Maisvoreva, Shangwa, Dinhidza, Tafirei, Mushayatu, Mhaka and Bhaureni were each sentenced to an effective 76 years in prison.
Mutaka, Kuzvinzwa, Dhliwayo, Chokera, Mutinhidza, Chakanetsa, Saurombe, Mushawemhuka and Marongedze each received effective 55-year prison terms.
Large portions of the sentences will run concurrently.
Prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti proved that the gang carried out the armed robbery at Alpha and Omega Farm on March 18, 2025, just days after Chivayo paid lobola for his wife, Lucy Muteke.
The court heard that the gang arrived at the farm at around 1am armed with three rifles, two pistols, machetes, iron bars and two bolt cutters.
The robbers first attacked security guards Petros Mabunhu and Medic Zhakata with iron bars before forcing one of them to lead them to the farmhouse bedrooms.
They confronted Gerald Muteke and stole US$18 000 in cash, a pistol loaded with eight rounds of ammunition and a Samsung S23 cellphone.
The gang then confronted Vimbai Muteke, who surrendered US$1 100, a safe key and a Samsung Galaxy A35 cellphone.
They forced her to open a safe in the main bedroom, from which they stole a further US$55 000.
The robbers also raided the home of Cossam Siminya, stealing US$10 000, two Samsung television sets, several cellphones, groceries and other valuables.
Before leaving the area, the gang targeted a nearby tuckshop, where they severely assaulted owner Bosco Chidukudze and stole his cellphone.
The gang was eventually arrested and convicted on multiple counts of armed robbery, bringing the lengthy criminal case to an end with all 18 accused receiving substantial prison sentences.
Source - zimlive
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