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Margaret Matibiri Herald Correspondent
A Seke man who allegedly masqueraded as a member of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA)’s military police in order to fleece a foreign businessman of $91 000 for purportedly plotting with the G40 cabal to assassinate President Mnangagwa, appeared in court last week. Onismo Maruke(43) allegedly teamed up with Fortune Sibanda, Gift Chimuka, Elvis Machinga, Vengai Shoko, Banga, Trymore Bondamakara and others still unidentified and pounced on the complainant pretending to be running a State operation.

The other gang members are still at large.

Maruke appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Rumbidzayi Mugwagwa facing robbery charges and was remanded in custody to February 15. Prosecuting, Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa alleged that on November 28, the gang drove to the complainant’s offices in Avondale West and confronted a security guard who was on duty. They misrepresented that they were members of the ZNA military police and were looking for accommodation.

The gang allegedly produced pistols and ordered the security guard to surrender keys to the gate, which they used to gain entry into the premises. While inside, they told the guard that they were on a State-sanctioned operation and wanted to interview the complainant. However, they failed to locate the complainant and left.

The following day, at around 10am, the gang went back to the complainant’s offices and found the complainant in his office. They introduced themselves as members of the ZNA military police. They accused the complainant of dealing with former ministers Dr Ignatious Chombo and Saviour Kasukuwere and sponsoring the G40 faction in a conspiracy to assassinate President Mnangagwa.

The complainant was also accused of money laundering and hoarding cash, among other criminal offences. The gang allegedly told the complainant and his secretary that they were under arrest. They then ransacked his office and stole US$15 100, 410 Singapore dollars, 3 050 Dubai Dhiram, 16 000 Thai Bhat and 4 000 Hong Kong dollars, the court heard.

It is alleged that the gang dragged the complainant together with his secretary to their vehicle and drove to a car park outside a hotel in Harare. While there, the gang threatened to detain the complainant at Josiah Magama Tongogara Army Barracks. The State alleges that the gang searched the complainant and stole another US$6 000 from his wallet. The total amount stolen was $91 000.