Five men who robbed Quest Financial Services of more than US$720,000 in Harare have been sentenced to effective 11-year prison terms as police continue efforts to dismantle armed robbery syndicates across Zimbabwe.
Five men who robbed Quest Financial Services of more than US$720,000 in Harare have been sentenced to effective 11-year prison terms following their conviction for armed robbery.
Washington Mangwanda (21), Brighton Chikukwa (27), Silence Matambo (27), Liberty Mukanganise (31) and Luke Zinyengere (28) were convicted after a full trial before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Jesse Kufa.
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The court initially sentenced each of the accused to 12 years in prison before suspending one year on condition of good behaviour, leaving them with effective prison terms of 11 years each.
The robbery involved the theft of more than US$720,000 from Quest Financial Services. Authorities managed to recover part of the stolen money, amounting to US$104,160, which was returned to the complainant.
Zinyengere was not a first offender. He is already serving a separate 22-year prison sentence imposed in April last year for robbery and attempting to escape from lawful custody.
According to court records, Zinyengere attempted to flee from prison guards at the Harare Magistrates Court while attending proceedings related to the present matter.
The convictions form part of a broader crackdown on organised robbery syndicates by the Zimbabwe Republic Police following the recent arrest of nine suspects linked to a series of violent crimes across the country.
In another armed robbery case, Edward Betserai (44), Peter Chinese (43) and Gasper Blessing (37), all from Waterfalls in Harare, together with Goodknows Chinese (43) of Seke, Chitungwiza, were each sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The four men were convicted for an armed robbery committed in Waterfalls on November 15, 2025.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the convictions and said the Zimbabwe Republic Police would continue publishing the names of offenders convicted of serious crimes.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police releases the names of accused persons who were recently convicted for various offences and sentenced to 60 months and above during the week ending June 11, 2026,” said Comm Nyathi.
He commended members of the public who provided information that assisted investigators in arresting the suspects.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police applauds the public for supplying information which led to the arrest of the suspects. The public should continue supplying information on criminal activities in the country,” he said.
Police say cooperation between communities and law enforcement remains important in combating armed robbery, violent crime and organised criminal activities across Zimbabwe.
