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Tendai Rupapa Senior Court Reporter
Three Zimbabwe National Army members allegedly robbed a Belvedere family of cash, valuables and clothing at gunpoint after breaking into its house during the night.

The three, who are jointly charged with an ex-member of the force, made off with the victim’s vehicle, a BMW, which they used to carry their loot.

Adrian Hamandawana (25) and Tafadzwa Saungweme (26) based at Mechanised Brigade and One Presidential Guard Battalion respectively, reportedly connived with Timothy Tshuma and Petros Mubaiwa, one of whom is still attached to the army.

They reportedly manhandled Antony Francis Hickey and his two sons before tying their hands and legs using electric cables and adhesive tape.

However, among the stolen property was a mobile phone with a tracker, which led to the arrest of Tshuma and Mubaiwa, who recently appeared before a Bindura magistrate. The duo implicated Hamandawana and Saungweme, who were yesterday brought before Harare magistrate Ms Barbra Chimboza.

They were remanded in custody to May 18, with instructions to apply for bail at the High Court.

Saungweme is being represented by Mr Arshiel Mugiya while Mr Elvis Dondo is acting on behalf of Hamandawana.

Prosecuting, Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa alleged that on January 28, the quartet proceeded to Hickey’s house in Belvedere at around 9pm armed with a pistol.

They also had electric cables and adhesive tape. When they got to the house, they scaled over the pre-cast wall before removing the hinges of the kitchen door and entered into the house.

They pounced on Hickey and his two children while they were watching television in Hickey’s bedroom, the court heard.

One of them is said to have withdrew a pistol, corked it and pointed it at the victims. They allegedly manhandled Hickey and his children and tied their hands and legs using the electric cables and the adhesive tape. It is the State’s case that they started assaulting their victims. They allegedly demanded cash and Hickey’s firearm.

Hickey showed them his safe, which contained $300 and they took the money, the State alleged.

The gang, the State alleged, demanded for more money before ransacking the house.

They reportedly stole two mobile phones, clothes, groceries, DVD player, a camera and jewellery.

It is further alleged that the gang took the gate’s remote control and car keys.

They loaded their loot into Hickey’s vehicle-BMW 318 and drove away.

They later stripped the vehicle and dumped it near the City Sports Centre.

One of the accused persons sold Hickey’s cellphone, which had a tracker to Shelter Dupwe.

Investigations led to Dupwe, who then informed the police that she bought the phone from one of the gang members.

The State alleged that Tshuma and Mubaiwa were arrested and they implicated Hamandawana and Saungweme as their alleged accomplices.

According to the State, the soldiers led police to the recovery of the stolen property. They voluntarily made indications at the scene of crime indicating how they committed the offence, the court heard.