Zimpapers Logo

The two former policemen and their alleged accomplices are suspected to be part of a gang of armed robbers that was reportedly terrorising diamond dealers in Chiadzwa.
They would allegedly impersonate Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers based in Mutare before robbing people of their minerals, cash and other valuables.

The bid to make quick money backfired for Clifford Paradza (34), of 1038 Crowborough North in Harare, Farai Tsikira (34), of 2143 Garner Road, Acturas, Itai Mutove (31), of 5093 Budiriro 1, Harare, Lameck Matema (25), of Gandira Village in Marange, Chiadzwa, Richard Manjoro (40), of 2336 Unit A Seke, Chitungwiza and Kuziva Zanda (32), of 111 Sakubva in Mutare when they were arrested shortly after committing the offence.
It is alleged that the six threatened three diamond dealers Mr Denford Ngirazi (55), Mr Dinari Chitonya (27), and Mr Miki Chitonya, all from Marange area with toy guns and robbed them of about US$9 885 on separate incidents  but on the same day in September 2010.

Paradza, Tsikira, Mutove, Matema, Manjoro and Zanda allegedly laid an ambush on the complainants and later pounced on them in their rooms after reportedly identifying themselves as detectives.
They are facing three counts of armed robbery, which they are denying and have been in remand prison since September last year.
The six appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate, Mr Mark Dzira on Wednesday but the trial could not kick off because there were no witnesses and the complainants.
The State has delayed the trial because the witnesses in the matter, who are all in Mutare, have not availed themselves in court.

However, the defendants’ lawyer Advocate Sabelo Sibanda of S K Sibanda and Associates made an application against further remand demanding that his clients be put on trial.
Adv Sibanda submitted that about 14 months  had passed before the start of trial thereby prejudicing his clients.
The defence counsel argued that it had been ready while the State was taking too long to  start trial and prayed in the application that the State should proceed and put the accused on their defence with or without the witnesses.

The State led by Mr Lewis Maunze submitted that the case had delayed because witnesses and complainants had not shown interest.
He said the State would respond to the application on 29 November and was adamant to give the accused a longer remand, saying the State would stick to the normal average two weeks’ remand.
The State’s case is that on 14 September last year while in Chiadzwa, the accused persons hatched a plan to rob “illegal” diamond dealers in the area.

It is alleged that Matema who was an illegal diamond dealer in the area knew that Mr Ngirazi, Mr Chitonya and Mr Miki had brought huge sums of money for the purposes of buying the gems.
The court heard that Mutove phoned Paradza who was in Mutare and informed him about the anticipated cash.
They wanted Paradza to be there so that as an ex-policeman he would pretend to be one and extort money from their target.

Paradza teamed up with another ex-policeman Tsikira, Zanda and one Taurai Chitapa who is still at large and drove in a Toyota Duet car, which had no registration numbers, to Chiadzwa.
While there, the court heard, Mutove, Matema and Manjoro allegedly joined them and they  all laid an ambush near Mr Ngirazi’s homestead at night.
The next day, at about 6am, Paradza, Tsikira, Mutove, Manjoro and Chitapa entered the yard while Zanda remained in the car to keep a watchful eye on people.
Matema had allegedly left the gang as he felt the act was not good and his charge has since been withdrawn before plea.
The court heard that Paradza and Mutove went into Mr Ngirazi’s bedroom hut while Tsikira, Manjoro and Chitapa stormed into another room where Chitonya was sleeping.
After identifying themselves as detectives, Paradza and Mutove accused Mr Ngirazi of illegally trading in diamonds and ordered him to produce those that he had bought.

They did not find anything, the court heard.
It is alleged they started ransacking the house looking for the diamonds but could not find anything.
At the same time Tsikira, Manjoro and Chitapa were also ransacking Mr Chitonya’s bedroom.
When they failed to find anything, Chitapa allegedly produced a toy pistol and threatened to shoot the complainant if he did not give them the diamonds.

Chitapa allegedly searched Mr Chitonya and took away about US$800. Complainant three,  Mr Miki, who had been awakened by noise, entered Mr Chitonya’s room to check what was happening upon which Chitapa grabbed him and searched him, taking away about US$250.
Tsikira, Manjoro and Chitapa then left the room and they were joined by their alleged accomplices who were force-marching the first complainant outside.

The gang allegedly ordered Mr Chitonya and Mr Miki to go back and sleep and they force-marched Mr Ngirazi to their car saying they were taking him to Mutare for investigations.
The court heard that they drove towards Mutare but along the way they turned the car into a   bushy area where they demanded that Mr Ngirazi surrender his wallet and cellphone.
It is alleged that when he refused Chitapa drew a toy pistol which he put into Mr Ngirazi’s mouth to force him into submission.

Paradza also drew a toy pistol, which he pointed at Mr Ngirazi’s back.
Mr Ngirazi handed his wallet with US$8 800 and a Nokia 1202 with an Econet line.
The gang shoved him out of the car and sped  off leaving him in the bush, but after Mutove  had given him a scribbled note with a phone number and a name saying he should follow them to Mutare and make a report at the CID.
The court heard that the gang shared the  loot and Paradza, Manjoro, Chitapa and Zanda were dropped along the Marange-Mutare Road while Tsikira and Mutove drove to Mutare.

Fearing for the safety of their colleague, Mr Chitonya and Mr Miki mobilised villagers  and followed in their car upon which they  caught up with Paradza, Manjoro, Chitapa  and Zanda looking for transport on the main   road but Chitapa escaped while the other three were arrested.
Tsikira and Mutove were later arrested in Mutare and Mutove was shot twice on both legs as he attempted to flee from police.
The two toy pistols were recovered from the vehicle, which was impounded.
The total value of stolen property was US$9 885 and only US$1 500 was recovered.-The Chronicle