A Harare woman and her nephew have been arrested for allegedly concealing guns believed to have been used in a series of armed robberies targeting Mukuru Money Transfer outlets.

Tamara Tikiza and Shepard Maisiri appeared before magistrate Ruth Moyo, where they were not required to enter pleas. They are facing charges of unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition.

According to the court, detectives from CID Homicide received information on Friday suggesting that Clever Chada had instructed his wife, Erinita Chingosho, to hide several guns used in multiple criminal operations. Chada was arrested earlier in January for a string of robberies around Harare, mainly involving Mukuru branches.

Investigators were informed that the weapons had been taken to Tikiza’s residence for safekeeping. Acting on the tip, officers raided her home on Saturday. During questioning, Tikiza admitted that Chingosho gave her the guns and told her to conceal them. She further revealed that she later handed the firearms to her nephew, Maisiri.

Tikiza led the detectives to Maisiri’s house, where officers dug up a black plastic bag hidden in the garden. Inside, they recovered an AUT 6.5mm pistol (serial number B309360), a Browning Spatene Depose pistol (serial number 249567), and a Patented Colt pistol (serial number 06309).

The case is being handled by prosecutor Takudzwa Jambawo.

hmetro