The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the arrest of robbers who killed Marondera businessman Paul Chimoka last week.
In a statement, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the arrests helped solve some more cases linked to the suspects.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Josephat Muchenje (58), Bright Magodhi (22), Crispen Kado (26), Felix Dapi (50) and Tatenda Mudzangairi (27) in connection with the callous murder and armed robbery cases where Paul Chimoka (62) died in Marondera on 23’d September 2022 at 0200 hours. On 26th September 2022 detectives reacted to a tip-off and arrested Josephat Muchenje (58) at his place of residence in Marlborough, Harare. A white Nissan AD vehicle registration number AFY 0342 used as a get-away car by the suspects and two cutting discs were recovered at the suspect’s residence.
“Upon being interviewed by the Police, the suspect implicated his four accomplices, leading to their subsequent arrest in Harare at different intervals and the recovery of 4 x 9mm rounds of ammunition stashed in Crispen Kado’s wardrobe in New Tafara, Harare.
“The Police has also established that the suspects were getting information from a bakery employee on their targets in Marondera.The suspects are linked to six cases of armed robbery and a case of murder which include the robbery Rakodzi Secondary School on 15 September 2022 where they stole some laptops, foodstuffs, safe keys, US$120 and ZWL$ 2000,” said Assistant Commissioner Nyathi
Adding that on 18th September 2022 the suspects attacked complainants in Mt Pleasant at 0300 hours and took US$55 000 cash, several cellphones, clothes and a South African registered Toyota Fortuner, registration number KH15HJGP.
“The Toyota Fortuner was later found dumped at the intersection of Harare Drive and Mazowe Road. Investigations have also revealed that the suspects also attacked a family in Macheke on 10th June 2022 where they broke into a homestead and stole a Star Pistol, six live rounds, Mossberg Calibre 12 bore shotgun with nine rounds, electrical cables, two Sony plasma television sets, two DVD players and various groceries all valued at US$3 595.
“Still in June 2022, the suspects attacked a family in St Mary’s in Chitungwiza and stole US$1 775 and ZAR 1000, HP Laptop and several cellphones. Again on 26 July 2022, the suspects attacked a family in St Mary’s on the pretext that they were Police officers searching for dangerous drugs. They took US$ 4 500, ZWL$ 500 and several cellphones,” he said
He added “Police investigations have also unearthed that one of the suspects, Felix Dapi has a warrant of arrest for absconding court after being arrested for unlawful possession of dangerous drugs and armed robbery cases in 2021. He is also under the microscope for a fraudulent bail application at the High Court through a public prosecutor who is also under investigations. The Police is also looking for an accomplice to the suspects who is currently on the run.”
