Eyebrows Raised As Two More US$2.

7m Money Heist Suspects Are

Freed On Bail

By Admiral Magwaza Last updated Feb 18, 2021 3 minute read

LAST UPDATED ON FEBRUARY 18TH, 2021 AT 08:54 AM
 0

 Share

US$2.7m Money Heist Suspects Granted Bail

US$2.7m Money Heist Suspects Granted Bail: Four Suspects in police custody at The Harare Magistrates
Court
Yesterday the High Court granted bail to two more suspected armed robbers who allegedly stole US$2.7
million from a ZB Bank cash-in-transit crew in January.

This comes after Tatenda Gadzikwa who is the alleged brains behind the robbery was also freed on bail.

However, this has raised eyebrows among the police who believe that freeing the armed robbers will have
far-reaching consequences in the ongoing investigations since some of the suspects are still on the run.
The State represented by Prosecutors Mr. Washington Munyoro and Mr. Richard Chikosha had opposed
bail, however, High Court judge Justice Webster Chinamora granted Tozivepi Chirara and Terrence
Matimba $50,000 bail each stating that he did not find any compelling reasons to deny the duo bail.

Chirara and Matimba are part of the gang of 12 armed robbers that were arrested in connection with the ZB
Bank US$2.7 million cash-in-transit robbery.

According to a report by state media, Justice Chinamora who also granted the robbery mastermind Tatenda
Gadzikwa bail last week said in granting the duo bail he considered that other suspects in the case are out
on bail.

I have looked at the record for Tatenda Gadzikwa, whom I granted bail on 12 February 2021.

I have not seen anything that sets apart the applicant in that case to the applicants before me to
justify a different and adverse treatment.

In the circumstances, on the principle of parity of treatment, I will grant bail to the applicants on
similar terms.

They shall pay bail in the sum of $50 000 and report three times a week on Monday, Wednesday
and Friday at CID Homicide Harare, said Justice Chinamora.

The duo of Chirara and Matimba was arrested along with other suspects Gerald Rutizirira (35), Kelvin
Musakwa (25), Tendai Zuze (35), Neverson Mwamuka (35), Trymore Chapfika, and Charles Chirara in
connection with the ZB Bank money heist.

Of the US$2.7 million that was stolen in Chinhoyi in January, police detectives have so far managed to
recover US$456,000 cash, car houses, and other valuable property worth thousands of dollars.

Mr. Tawanda Takaendesa represented the two suspects.

US$2,7m heist: Bail for two more suspects raises eyebrows

   
Fidelis Munyoro

Chief Court Reporter

TWO more suspects allegedly involved in the US$2,7 million ZB Bank cash-in-transit heist last

month were granted bail by the High Court  yesterday after Tatenda Gadzikwa, who is the

mastermind of the heist was released  last week.

Although the judge, in granting bail, said he found nothing amiss with the application, the general

sentiment in police circles is that freeing the suspects will jeopardise ongoing investigations to

arrest other suspects who are still on the run

Tozivepi Chirara and Terrence Matimba are two of the more than 10 people arrested in connection

with the armed robbery most of whom are now on bail. The two were granted $50 000 bail.

Prosecutors Mr Washington Munyoro and Richard Chikosha had opposed bail, but Justice Webster

Chinamora did not find any compelling reasons warranting the denial of bail.
The judge also considered that most of the suspects in the matter have since been granted bail with

last week the same judge granting bail to Tatenda Gadzikwa suspected of being the ring leader in

the staged robbery.

“I have looked at the record for Tatenda Gadzikwa, whom I granted bail on 12 February 2021” said

Justice Chinamora. 

“I have not seen anything that sets apart the applicant in that case to the applicants before me to

justify a different and adverse treatment.

“In the circumstances, on the principle of parity of treatment, I will grant bail to the applicants on

similar terms. They shall pay bail in the sum of $50 000 and report three times a week on Monday,

Wednesday and Friday at CID Homicide Harare.”

Chirara and Matimba were arrested along with Gerald Rutizirira (35), Kelvin Musakwa (25), Tendai

Zuze (35), Neverson Mwamuka (35), Trymore Chapfika and Charles Chirara in connection with the

robbery.

Over US$456 000 has so far been recovered from the US$2,7 million that was stolen from the

security company that was transporting the cash to Chinhoyi last month, along with cars that had

been bought by the suspects.

Eleven suspects have been arrested in connection with the matter, and have appeared in court. The

money was en-route for distribution to ZB Bank branches in Chinhoyi, Kadoma, Kwekwe, Gweru,

Gwanda, Zvishavane and Bulawayo. Mr Tawanda Takaendesa represented the two suspects.

Tozivepi Chirara and Terrence Matimba are two of the more than 10 people arrested in connection

with the armed robbery most of whom are now on bail. The two were granted $50 000 bail.
Prosecutors Mr Washington Munyoro and Richard Chikosha had opposed bail, but Justice Webster

Chinamora did not find any compelling reasons warranting the denial of bail.

The money was en-route for distribution to ZB Bank branches in Chinhoyi, Kadoma, Kwekwe,

Gweru, Gwanda, Zvishavane and Bulawayo. Mr Tawanda Takaendesa represented the two suspects.

In December, suspected armed robber and gang leader Musa Taj Abdul (47), who was granted bail

by High Court Judge Justice Benjamin Chikowero along with three co-accused before they were

rearrested  after a public outcry