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Soldiers up for US$60K UZ farm robbery


TWO more soldiers have been nabbed in connection with an armed robbery at the University of Zimbabwe Farm where the director lost US$60 000. 

Knowledge Nyakunaka now joins Chamunorwa Genge and Zvidozvashe Dzuda, who were already in custody after they were linked to the crime. 

Nyakunaka was reportedly arrested after he was implicated in the offence by his uncle Lazarus Chinobhururuka, who is also a suspect, and allegedly invited him to join the heist. 

He was remanded in custody to July 30 and was advised to apply for bail at the High Court. 

Genge also appeared in court on the same allegations of participating in the heist and according to the State there is CCTV footage which shows him participating in the offence. 

He was also remanded in custody over the allegations and was advised to apply for bail at the High Court. 

It is the State’s case that on June 15, Nyakunaka together with 12 others were armed with pistols and iron bars and allegedly went to the UZ farm where they manhandled the security guard demanding to see the director of the farm. 

It is alleged that they force marched the director at gunpoint while assaulting him and got into his room and took US$60 000, jewellery, laptops and other valuables. 

Dzuda, who is also a soldier, is facing eight counts of armed robbery after it was alleged to be part of a gang that terrorised people in and out of Harare. 

Some of their alleged accomplices include Godfrey Josi, Valentine Mutasa, Peter Mushipe, Lazarus Chinobhururuka, Ephraim Alphas and Themba Mugabe, who were arrested after a shootout with police. 

Mushipe was remanded on his hospital bed after sustaining injuries during the shootout. 

Two of their alleged accomplices Richard Mutanga and Benjamin Musasa died from injuries sustained during the standoff with the police. 

Meanwhile, in another case of armed robbery, two men in Bulawayo lost US$17 000 and R40 000 to three armed suspects, who allegedly pounced on them while counting the money in the car. 

The incident occurred on Friday and the suspects drove off in a Honda Fit vehicle after the robbery. 

The police said investigations into the matter are ongoing and the incident comes at a time the law enforcement agents are warning the public to desist from moving around with large sums of money in their cars. 

Another motorist in Bulawayo lost US$19 396 which was stolen from his car as he had parked to repair a tyre puncture.

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