Munyaradzi Mashiri – Court Correspondent
A key informant who played a central role in exposing a gold smuggling and armed robbery plot involving four foreign nationals is now facing severe intimidation, the Harare Magistrates' Court heard on Wednesday.
Ozias Matsekete, the whistleblower who tipped off police in February about the elaborate heist, testified that he is now being harassed by unidentified individuals warning him to remain silent.
The four accused – Goh Ga Kan from Singapore, Wu Ke Wen from China, and Sierra Leone nationals Aruna Saidu and Foday Kamara – are facing charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms.
Matsekete told the court that despite police promises of confidentiality, his identity and involvement were leaked on social media.
"Police promised to protect my identity, but I was shocked to see my name and whistleblower status shared online. I complained to the Commissioner General of Police," he said.
He also revealed that his vehicle was used without his consent during the undercover operation and that he has been left to cover his own medical expenses despite the trauma and threats he continues to receive.
The court heard that on February 27, 2025, Kan approached Matsekete with a plan to rob a vehicle transporting 4kg of gold from Harare to Zambia via the Chirundu Border Post. Kan allegedly asked him to recruit additional accomplices. Instead, Matsekete alerted the police.
On March 1, Matsekete arranged a meeting in Karoi, as instructed by Kan, who wanted to assess the robbery site. Karoi was preferred for its proximity to the Zambian border and road conditions likely to slow down the gold-laden vehicle.
Undercover detectives, posing as hired criminals, accompanied Matsekete to the meeting. Kan outlined the robbery plan and identified a pothole-riddled stretch of road 25km from Karoi CBD as the ideal ambush location.
Another meeting was arranged on March 8 in Harare. Kan informed Matsekete and the detectives that the robbery would occur the following day, between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. He introduced Saidu and Kamara as part of the robbery team and provided vehicle registration numbers for the target and getaway vehicles.
On March 9 at 4:00 a.m., Kan informed Matsekete that the target vehicle – a white Toyota Prado with Zambian plates (BLD 76ZM) – was approaching Nyabira Tollgate. Acting on this, police intercepted and apprehended the smugglers.
Kan and Wen were arrested at the scene. The Toyota Prado was escorted to CID Homicide, Harare, where 4.018kg of gold was discovered concealed beneath the vehicle’s radio.
Phiri and Wieqiang, who were in the smuggling vehicle, were later transferred to the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit (MFFU) to face charges under the Gold Trade Act.
Saidu and Kamara, arrested separately in Matsekete’s vehicle, were found in possession of two loaded pistols, pepper spray, and a hammer.
Their trial is set to resume on May 13, 2025.
Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court CorrespondentA 33-year-old man linked to a robbery incident in which a getaway car was captured on camera by members of the public has appeared in court.Sean Mukungwa appea..
ZimbabweMunyaradzi Mashiri- Courts CorrespondentA 30-year-old man has appeared in court after he was allegedly caught stealing TelOne drop wire and DP tail cables in Belvedere, Harare.Kudzaishe Masawi appea..
ZimbabweRutendo Mazhindu- ZimNow ReporterZimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Health Day, turning the spotlight on the urgent need to save the lives of mothers and newborns.This year..
Zimbabwe
Leave Comments