A seven-man gang that allegedly lured pedestrians into their Honda Fit before robbing them and forcing them out of the vehicle has been arrested. The group is now facing 13 counts of robbery.

Denis Manyonga, Tawanda Macheka, Kenneth Pick, Leslie Mudenda, Kudzanai Tirivavi, Norran Mandevane and Nyasha Gweshe appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo, who remanded them in custody while their bail application is being considered.

How the Crimes Were Carried Out

The court heard that on October 24, a woman boarded a black Honda Fit at ZAOGA Church in Mandara headed toward Msasa. The vehicle had three occupants. When they reached the corner of North Road and Harare Drive, she was pushed out of the car. She lost a brown handbag containing two phones, her national ID, PSMAS card and US$85. The gang fled immediately.

Using the same method, the gang robbed a second victim on November 4, taking a wallet containing US$348.

On November 9, they struck again—this time in Chisipite at the corner of Dacombe Drive and Lewisam Avenue. A man riding a motorbike was blocked by a blue Honda Fit. Two attackers jumped out; one grabbed him from behind while the other pointed an object at his chest. They searched him and took US$200 before escaping.

On November 17, at the corner of Collins Drive and Harare Drive in Greystone Park, a woman boarded their blue Honda Fit intending to go to the CBD. At the Chisipite roundabout, they took her black iPhone 8, her national ID, and US$50. When she realised her items were missing, they lied and claimed she had dropped them while closing the door. The driver stopped and told her to check outside. As soon as she got out, they drove off.

The remaining victims were robbed using similar tactics.

The State is represented by prosecutor Takudzwa Jambawo.