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Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
Two brothers allegedly broke into the Environment, Water and Climate Ministry’s permanent secretary Prince Mupazviriho’s vehicle at Bon Marche Eastlea, from which they stole $30 500 and a pistol.

Charles Size Munyaradzi Maratera (62) and his brother Phillip (55) were caught on closed circuit television (CCTV) leaving the crime scene.

The siblings appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo facing theft charges. Charles was denied bail because he has previous convictions and was more involved in the offence than his brother.

Mr Makomo advised him to apply for bail at the High Court. Phillip was released on $300 bail. The two were represented by Ms Auxilia Mangwaira. They are expected in court on March 22.

Prosecuting, Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa alleged that on November 28 last year Mupazviriho was driving a Toyota Hilux super-cab registration number ACU 3887.

The court heard that inside the vehicle were two bags, one containing $30 500 and a firearm, a PI pistol serial number 9653 (ZRP 134). The bag with cash and firearm was under the driver’s seat.

Another bag containing various files was on the front passenger floor.

It is alleged that at noon, Mupazviriho parked his vehicle in the car park outside Bon Marche Eastlea supermarket. He locked the vehicle before going into the supermarket.

It is alleged that Charles and Phillip, who were driving a cream Toyota Cresta registration number CAN 8905, approached Mupazviriho’s vehicle.

The siblings used an unknown object to break into the vehicle and stole the two bags. The pair was captured on CCTV before fleeing the crime scene in their getaway car.

Twenty-five minutes, later Mupazviriho returned to his vehicle and discovered that his cash and pistol had been stolen. He reported the matter to police.

Detectives discovered that the vehicle used as a getaway car had been hired from Doc Car Hire. Further investigations led to the pair’s arrest.