Two men have appeared in court over three alleged armed robberies, including the theft of US$108 000 from a Chinese-owned foundry company in Ruwa.
Tinei Makaripe, 47, who was allegedly assaulted by workers while trying to flee from the Ruwa robbery, and Pungurai Mukambachaza, 49, are jointly facing three counts of armed robbery.
They appeared before the Harare Magistrates Court and were advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
The two were remanded to September 29, 2026.
Makaripe has admitted to one of the charges and may be separated from his co-accused for plea recording at their next appearance.
The State, represented by Lawrence Gangarahwe, alleges that on September 13, 2026, Makaripe and Mukambachaza, together with accomplices still at large and armed with pistols, targeted Zhan Lingyue, a 24-year-old Chinese national.
The court heard that the group went to Xinda Castings in Ruwa, where they scaled the precast wall to gain entry.
Once inside, they allegedly entered a changing room, put on company work suits and helmets and pretended to be employees.
They allegedly confronted two workers who had gone to the toilet and force-marched them to the offices.
The group then allegedly broke into an office where they confronted Zhan, demanded cash and ransacked the room before taking a satchel containing US$108 000.
As they fled, the suspects allegedly used a metal ladder to scale the perimeter wall.
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Workers who had become alerted reportedly threw stones at the fleeing suspects.
Makaripe, who was running behind his accomplices, was allegedly struck by a brick and fell to the ground. Workers then apprehended him while the other suspects escaped.
Police investigations later led to Mukambachaza’s arrest at his residence, where US$4 900 was allegedly recovered.
On the second count, the State alleges that on June 22, 2026, the two men and their accomplices, armed with pistols and wearing balaclavas, targeted Redan Service Station in Glaudina.
They allegedly confronted fuel attendants Natasha Zvingana and Louis Mawere and security guard Tafara Chipandire.
Chipandire was allegedly searched and robbed of an Itel A90 cellphone, panic baton and pepper spray, while the fuel attendants allegedly surrendered US$500. Redan fuel coupons were also allegedly stolen.
On the third count, the State alleges that on September 12, 2026, the accused and their accomplices, armed with a pistol, iron bars, machetes and a bolt cutter, targeted Kurima Centre at Number 521 Access Road in Msasa.
They allegedly scaled the perimeter wall and entered the premises.
Security guards Saymore Mudziwepasi and Ibraham Milanzi reportedly spotted the suspects and fired shots into the air in an attempt to scare them away.
The suspects allegedly continued with the break-in and forced their way into several offices.
They allegedly fled empty-handed after a Safeguard reaction team arrived at the scene.
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