A 23-year-old man from Southview Park has appeared in court facing three charges — theft, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Panashe Nyakwimba appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Courts following his arrest in connection with the theft of a pistol from his landlord in Chinhoyi, which he allegedly later used to rob a local pharmacy.
According to the State, the incident began in September when Nyakwimba allegedly devised a plan to steal a CZ pistol from his landlord, Lovemore Chareka, at house number 4260 Coldstream, Chinhoyi, where he was renting a room.
Prosecutors told the court that Nyakwimba entered Chareka’s unlocked bedroom and took the firearm — a CZ pistol with serial number 8500M, fully loaded with 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
Nyakwimba allegedly transported the weapon to Southview Park, Fidelity, in Harare, where he entered a pharmacy under the pretext of seeking STI treatment.
Related Stories
While speaking with pharmacist Takudzwa Chiphil, he reportedly brandished the firearm and ordered him to sit down.
He then allegedly confronted Ruth Gwedegwe, who was counting the day’s sales, and demanded cash at gunpoint. Fearing for her life, Gwedegwe handed over US$200, after which Nyakwimba fled the scene.
Following investigations, detectives from CID Homicide received a tip-off that Nyakwimba had returned to Chinhoyi. On October 23, officers tracked him to house number 4509 Coldstream, where he was arrested.
Upon interrogation, Nyakwimba reportedly confessed to the robbery and led detectives to the recovery of the stolen pistol, still loaded with all 15 rounds.
He is said to have told police that he used US$100 of the stolen cash to place bets on the online platform Aviator (Kandege) and spent the remainder on groceries for his girlfriend, a student at Chinhoyi University of Technology.
Nyakwimba has been remanded in custody and is expected to appear in court again on November 7, 2025.
Leave Comments