A crew of seven armed robbers eventually met their end in Manicaland after a dramatic string of robberies, supposedly assisted by two strong traditional healers wielding mystical juju.
Stanley Zama, 29, Raymond Kampilo, 31, Chris Chauke, 48, Prosper Garikai, 46, Brighton Dhliwayo, 38, Tendai Mahari, 40, and Edson Muchape were the accused in the crimes.
The traditional healers Cephas Mlambo (52) and Clever Sithole (27), who were found to be in possession of hyena legs, teeth, and owl feathers, were the gang’s spiritual guardians.
Among their illicit actions was a daring raid on the Chipinge Depot of Delta Beverages, where they stole US$20,965 and R18,750. Additionally, they broke into the Knowstics Group of Schools in Mutasa and stole vehicles, laptops, cellphones, and a gun.
A spokeswoman for the Manicaland provincial police, Inspector Norbert Muzondo, confirmed the crimes and said that Machape, a security guard at the Chipinge Depot of Delta Beverages, was behind the robbery. Mahari, a cashier for the Knowstics Group of Schools, was also apparently involved in the school robbery and worked with one of the thieves.
The suspects faced armed robbery charges in court before Mutare regional magistrate, Mrs Tilda Mazhande, and were remanded in custody until July 3.
At Delta Beverages, the gang scaled over the precast wall to breach the premises.
Once inside, two of the accused individuals stormed the guardroom and physically assaulted Mr. Joymen Chekani, the security guard on duty.
They then forced him to the reception area, tying his legs and hands from behind using shoelaces.
In the cash office, the robbers confronted their accomplice Muchape, who was in charge of the door.
Although Muchape was armed with a loaded revolver, the robbers disarmed him and forcibly entered the cash office where Mr Jarupeni and Mr Sithole were handling cash.
At gunpoint, they demanded cash and brutally attacked the two employees.
Afterwards, they secured Mr Jarupeni and Mr Sithole’s hands and legs with shoelaces, leaving them in the corridor.
Under duress, the victims handed over the keys, and the culprits looted all the cash from the safe.
On June 1, at Knowstics Group of Schools, the accused persons forcibly took two vehicles, a Toyota Vitz, and a Toyota Wish from the school’s driver and administrator near the premises.
They then broke into the strong room using an iron bar and stole 20 laptops, 13 cellphones without SIM cards, and a rifle from a gun cabinet.
The stolen items were loaded into the two motor vehicles before the gang fled the scene.
The victims, left behind in the house, managed to free themselves and reported the incident at the school.
The total value of the stolen goods amounted to US$20,200 and R2,000, with US$9,700 worth of property being recovered.
