Gardener and Accomplices Steal Safe Containing Ove...

Gardener and Accomplices Steal Safe Containing Over US$100K in Armed Robbery Plot

Munyaradzi Mashiri

Zim Now Court Correspondent

A 55-year-old man, Stephen Matanhire of Unit D Seke, has appeared at the Harare Magistrates' Courts facing charges of robbery under aggravating circumstances.

Matanhire, along with several accomplices, allegedly conspired with a gardener to steal a safe containing more than US$100,000 and R300,000, among other valuables.

The incident occurred on August 13, 2022, at around 10:30 AM. Matanhire, together with Shadreck Kabanga Musalonza, Susan Kunyarimwe, Raymond Motikari (the gardener), Ignatius Bumhira, Darlington Chirenga, Vincent Rafick Magadhi, David Nyakauru, and Josephat Muchenje, reportedly orchestrated the robbery at the residence of Simon Matanhire.

According to the prosecution, the group, armed with a pistol, a 15-pound hammer, and iron bars, gained access to the property using duplicate keys provided by the gardener, Motikari. Upon entering the yard, they confronted the maid, who was about to leave for shopping. She screamed for help, calling out to Motikari, unaware that he was part of the plot.

The gang grabbed the maid and forcefully led her to the cottage, where they pretended to harass Motikari to maintain the illusion of his innocence. Motikari had previously informed the group that his employer kept large sums of money in the house. The robbers demanded the keys to the main house from the maid, eventually unlocking the kitchen door and gaining entry.

Once inside, they used the hammer to break open the main bedroom door. After forcing the maid and Motikari into a spare bedroom and covering them with a fleece cloth, they began ransacking the house. The robbers stole a safe containing US$100,000, R300,000, a 9mm Sarsilmaz B6 pistol (serial number T1102-18E-02234), 53 rounds of ammunition, house title deeds, and three smartphones: a Samsung S8, an iPhone X, and an iPhone XR—none of which had SIM cards.

The group then loaded the safe into a getaway vehicle, a silver Nissan NV200 without number plates, and fled the scene. Simon Matanhire later reported the robbery to ZRP Rhodesville. The suspects were captured on CCTV footage installed at the residence.

Stephen Matanhire was remanded in custody and advised to apply for bail at the High Court. He is expected to return to court on November 5, 2024, for a routine remand hearing.