Seven men have been sentenced to effective 11-year prison terms each for a daring robbery in which a gang used explosives to blast open a vault at a financial institution in Belgravia and stole more than US$744,000.
The robbery, which took place in February 2024, was one of the most sophisticated heists recorded in Harare in recent years, involving explosives, stolen firearms and meticulous planning.
Washington Mangwanda (21), Brighton Chikukwa (27), Silence Matambo (27), Liberty Mukanganise (31), Richard Tafadzwa Marondera (25), Luke Zinyengere (28) and Godknows Garira (28) were convicted of armed robbery.
According to evidence presented during the trial, the gang cut through a security fence before overpowering and tying up a security guard and his girlfriend.
The robbers then used explosives to blow open a vault before making off with US$744,676, R10,500, EUR120, a pistol, laptops and a Wi-Fi router.
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Investigators later tracked the suspects using CCTV footage and call records, leading to their arrest.
An eighth suspected gang member was killed during a shootout with police detectives.
Police recovered assets worth US$206,475, including US$166,180 in cash, vehicles and luxury items allegedly purchased using proceeds from the robbery.
Each offender was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with one year suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving an effective sentence of 11 years.
The court also ordered that US$104,160 recovered during investigations be returned to the victim.
While a significant portion of the stolen money and property has been recovered, authorities say some of the loot remains unaccounted for and investigations are continuing.
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