The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
FOUR daring robbers armed with machetes and iron bars suspected to be behind a spate of robberies in schools and Mutare’s suburbs were last week arraigned before the courts for pouncing on Ezekiel Guti Academy twice, escaping with cash and groceries valued at $100 000.
The quartet — Israel Murahwa (39), Dyllan Sithole (29), Collen Pearce (41) and Innocent Matadi (28) — appeared before Mutare provincial magistrate, Mr Langton Carter facing robbery charges as defined in Section 126 (1) (a) or (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
They were not asked to plead and were remanded in custody to today (Friday).
Police intercepted the quartet in Destiny Section of Dangamvura.
They were searched and found in possession of three dynamites, four fuse cables, two knives, two iron bars, a bolt cutter and a grinder in their motor vehicle.
Appearing for the State, Ms Tafadzwa Chiwanza said on January 15, a security guard employed by Ezekiel Guti Academy, Mr Godfrey Muradzikwa was on duty at the school when the robbers pounced.
“The four were armed with a 14-pounds hammer, machetes, iron bars, dynamites, fuse cables and logs went to the school and jumped over the pre-cast wall to gain entry into the school yard. They approached Mr Muradzikwa who was seated in the guardroom and grabbed his hands, took away his cellphone and force-marched him to the administration block.
“They tied Mr Muradzikwa’s hands and legs with ropes and ordered him to lie down. They assaulted Mr Muradzikwa with the hammer on the left knee cap demanding keys to the office. They used a hammer to break the screen bars and gained entry into the reception. While inside, they ransacked the office and stole various groceries and school uniforms,” said Ms Chiwanza.
The quartet proceeded to break the principal’s office’s door and tried to blast the Chubb safe using dynamites and fuse cables, but failed.
“The quartet went to the storeroom and used an iron bar to force-open the locked door and gained entry. While inside, they stole a wheelbarrow and loaded groceries they had looted from the reception and went away, leaving Mr Muradzikwa in the reception office.
“The following morning, Mr Simon Tikwa (47), who is employed as a school caretaker came to the school to commence duty. He saw Mr Muradzikwa lying in the reception office groaning and struggling to untie himself. He phoned the school principal, Mr Silas Kaziboni who went to make a police report,” said Ms Chiwanza.
In the second count, it is alleged that on January 29, Mr Muradzikwa commenced guard duties at his workplace in the company of Mr Joel Sigauke.
“The two patrolled the premises and met at regular intervals. At around 11pm, Mr Muradzikwa was seated under a Guava tree when he was attacked by the accused persons who were armed with two iron bars, a big knife, dynamites, fuse cables and a grinder. They grabbed Mr Muradzikwa by the neck asking for keys to the headmaster’s office and safe keys. They disarmed him of his baton stick.
“The suspects removed Mr Muradzikwa’s shoelaces and tied his hands. They also used his scarf to tie his face and mouth, and force-marched him to the headmaster’s office. They used iron bars to force-open the main door and shoved Mr Muradzikwa into the reception’s office,” said Ms Chiwanza.
While inside the school head’s office, the quartet were disturbed by Mr Sigauke who shouted for help.
The quartet fled from the scene.
“The suspects were intercepted by the police who were on patrol. Their Nissan Bluebird vehicle was searched and police recovered three dynamites, four fuse cables, two knives, two iron bars, a bolt cutter and a grinder,” she said.
