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Court Reporter
THE trial of seven suspected robbers who stole US$412 798 meant for banking from Waverly Blankets has begun with the first State witness breaking down in tears while narrating how she was robbed. Maureen Muparadzi employed as an accountant at Waverly Blankets failed to contain her emotions as she narrated how the robber looked into her eyes, telling her to let go of the bag containing money or he would shoot her. I am terrified. My life changed since that day and every time I drive I feel like I am being followed,” she said while sobbing. Magistrate Mr Noel Mupeiwa advised her to calm down so that she could continue with her testimony.

Muparadzi told the court that before she left for the bank accused seven — Yvette Johnson Don’s mother whom she works with came with her batch of money to her office and did not wait for the counting.

“This was the first time for her to do that. I could not ask her why she brought the money uncounted because she is a senior member of the company.

“On my way to the bank with US$412 798 stashed in a travelling bag I noticed a white pick-up with South African number plates trailing behind me. All of a sudden a metallic silver car overtook me dangerously and it went away.

“As I proceeded I did not see the white pick-up anymore. When I arrived at the bank my favourite parking spot close to the bank entrance was already taken, so I parked far from the entrance,” she said.

She told the court that as she was locking car doors a man pounced on her and started wrestling the bag with the money from her.
“I started screaming and when I opened my eyes there was a man who was unnaturally black in front of me pointing a gun in my face.

“The look in his eyes was terrifying as he told me to let go of the bag or he would shoot me. The vendors who were nearby came closer to help me and this man turned the gun on them.

“Fearing for my life I let go of the bag and I saw the white pick-up again parked at the exit point and the robber jumped into that car,” she said.

Trial continues on Monday.
Kudakwashe Brian Mungadzi (39), Freddie Tsvarai (34), Hoosein Karim (63), Winnock Hahlani (41), James Tabu (28), Amos Ndhlamuti (30) and Don (43) are facing robbery charges.

Allegations against the seven arose sometime in May this year after Don approached Karim and told him that there was going to be a movement of a large sum of money from her company to the bank. Karim reportedly approached Andrew Mugarapanyama, an accountant at the bank, who was still at large with the plan to rob the bank. It is the State’s case that Muparadzi usually took money to the bank every Monday without escort.