Three men were jailed after stealing nearly US$190 000 from a Ruwa home. They used the money to buy property and vehicles, which have now been seized. The court also ordered restitution to the victim, including recovered cash and assets.
Three men have been sentenced to prison after breaking into a house in Ruwa and stealing nearly US$190 000 before using the money to purchase property and vehicles.
Blessing Kennes (28), Remember Gladmore Fambauone (25), and Tawanda Jabulani Makumana (31) were convicted of unlawful entry and money laundering by Harare regional magistrate Mrs Feresi Chakanyuka.
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The court also ordered the trio to surrender all assets acquired using the stolen funds. These include a residential stand in Crowhill, a solar system, vehicles, and other exhibits presented during the trial.
The recovered assets are set to be handed over to the complainant, Joseph Maruta, as part of the restitution process. In addition, US$30 000 currently held by the CID Homicide unit will also be released to him.
Prosecutor Mr Tendai Tapi told the court that the robbery took place on June 7, 2025, at a house in Springville, Ruwa, following what he described as a carefully planned operation.
According to court proceedings, the complainant had parked his Toyota GD6 with South African registration plates in the yard before going to bed on the night of the incident.
At around 2am, the three accused broke into the premises by smashing the rear window of the vehicle. They then gained access to the house and proceeded to steal large sums of money and valuables.
The stolen items included US$176 050 in cash stored in a plastic bag, US$6 000 taken from a jacket, a Samsung S24 Ultra cellphone, and a Derya pistol with two loaded magazines.
The complainant discovered the theft at approximately 5am and reported the matter to the Zimbabwe Republic Police in Ruwa, triggering investigations into the case.
Police investigations later led to the arrest of Kennes on August 13, 2025, in Mbare, Harare, following a tip-off. He subsequently led detectives to US$20 250 hidden in a durawall at the Ruwa property.
Kennes also assisted authorities in recovering a vehicle valued at US$3 500, which had been purchased using part of the stolen money.
The case highlighted how the accused converted stolen funds into assets, leading to additional charges of money laundering alongside unlawful entry.
