Gang behind armed robbery at Wicknell Chivayo in-laws’ farm jailed for nearly 1,200 years
Eighteen armed robbers have been sentenced to a combined 1,179 years in prison for a violent raid on a Marondera farmhouse belonging to the in-laws of businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
Harare magistrate Masaiona Shotgame handed down the sentences on Tuesday after a full trial in which all 18 accused were found guilty after pleading not guilty.
The convicts are Kelvin Murehwa, Peter Maramba Vhiya, Takudzwa Maisvoreva, Garikayi Shangwa, Temptations Gerald Dinhidza, Arnold Tafirei, Tawanda Mushayatu, Mike Mhaka, Obvious Mutaka, Kennedy Kuzvinzwa, Adonia Dhliwayo, Charles Chokera, Arnold M. Mutinhidza, Shingirai Bhaureni, Stephen M. Chakanetsa, Dave Saurombe, Taurai Mushawemhuka and Felix Marongedze.
Murehwa, Vhiya, Maisvoreva, Shangwa, Dinhidza, Tafirei, Mushayatu, Mhaka and Bhaureni were each sentenced to an effective 76 years in prison. The remaining nine convicts — Mutaka, Kuzvinzwa, Dhliwayo, Chokera, Mutinhidza, Chakanetsa, Saurombe, Mushawemhuka and Marongedze — each received effective 55-year sentences. Large portions of the sentences will run concurrently.
Prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti told the court that the gang carried out the armed robbery at Alpha and Omega Farm on 18 March 2025, shortly after Chivayo paid lobola for his wife, Lucy Muteke.
The court heard that the gang arrived at the farm at around 1am armed with three rifles, two pistols, machetes, iron bars and two bolt cutters.
The robbers first attacked security guards Petros Mabunhu and Medic Zhakata with iron bars before forcing one of them to guide them to the farmhouse bedrooms.
They confronted Gerald Muteke and stole US$18,000 in cash, a pistol loaded with eight rounds of ammunition and a Samsung S23 cellphone.
The gang then confronted Vimbai Muteke, who handed over US$1,100, a safe key and a Samsung Galaxy A35 cellphone. They forced her to open a safe in the main bedroom, where they stole an additional US$55,000.
The robbers also raided the home of Cossam Siminya, stealing US$10,000, two Samsung television sets, several cellphones, groceries and other valuables.
Before leaving the area, the gang targeted a nearby tuckshop, where they severely assaulted the owner, Bosco Chidukudze, and stole his cellphone.
The gang was later arrested and convicted on multiple counts of armed robbery.
