The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura
Rusape Correspondent
UNSCRUPULOUS Rusape dealer, Godfrey Dara, who was recently arrested on robbery charges, has emerged as the mastermind behind the theft and unlawful entry cases that rocked Rusape early this year.
Dara (45) evaded arrest last month when police nabbed eight suspected armed robbers but was eventually arrested.
Dara, Gerald Gumini (38), Darlington Maibvisira (34), Nicodimus Chitumba (38), Farai Nindi and Malvern Muchedzi – all of Rusape – appeared before Rusape magistrate, Mr Obedience Matare, facing three counts of theft and three counts of unlawful entry.
They were not represented and were remanded in custody to August 1.
Prosecuting, Mrs Oripa Sagandira said the gang allegedly stole motor spares, solar batteries, solar panels and chainsaws, among other things.
They allegedly stole from individuals, as well as the Rusape and Makoni local authorities.
Peter Kadungure of Temaruru Village would allegedly buy their stolen goods.
“On January 27, during the night, Gumini, Chitumba and Dara went to Maungwe Investments in Headlands, smashed the storeroom windowpane, cut the burglar bars and gained entry. They stole three chainsaws, a 20-liter jerry can, a 12-volt solar battery and a 50-watts solar panel and went away unnoticed,” said Mrs Sagandira.
“Information implicating the suspects to the theft was picked by detectives, leading to their arrest. Dara indicated to the police that he had sold two chainsaws and a jerry can to Peter Kadungure and police recovered the loot. The total value stolen is $755 040 and property worth $244 640 was recovered,” she said.
Mrs Sagandira said on March 16, the gang hatched a plan to steal from Tafadzwa Chitadzo who operates a motor spares shop along Maungwe Street in Rusape.
“During the night, they force-opened the locked door and gained entry. They stole several motor spares and accessories. Police investigations led them to the suspects and they were arrested.
“On the night of April 10, Gumini, Chitumba and Dara went to Total Rusape (Main) junction traffic lights. They cut the burglar bars of the cage, broke the lock and stole two 12 volts gel batteries and went away unnoticed.
“They sold the property to Kadungure. The stolen property, worth $258 000, was recovered from Kadungure,” she said.
Mrs Sagandira further told the court that the gang stole a plough in Magamba suburb and painted it with another colour before selling it to Kadungure.
“On May 7, the suspects stole a plough from Simbarashe Matunga in Magamba suburb. They loaded the plough in a vehicle that was being driven by Maibvisira. The accused persons painted the plough red and sold it to Kadungure. After a tip-off, they were arrested and the plough was recovered,” said Mrs Sagandira.
They gang also allegedly stole a water storage tank in Vengere and sold it to Kadungure.
Kadungure is being treated as a State witness.
