Police National Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi
By Dickson Bandera
Police have arrested five suspects and recovered over US$13,000 following an armed robbery that took place on April 26, 2025, at House Number 43 First Street, Paradise, Marondera, police have confirmed.
The complainant, Costas Andreas Klostris (62), a local businessman and owner of Machipisa Store in Marondera, was ambushed by three armed men at his residence around 1620 hours while returning from work. He was in possession of US$13,500 in cash, which he had placed in a basket on the passenger seat of his Toyota Hilux Revo.
As he parked his vehicle, three suspects wearing balaclavas and armed with black and silver pistols confronted him, ordered him out of the vehicle, tied his hands, and assaulted him before fleeing with the cash. No shots were fired and the suspects escaped before the Safeguard security response team arrived.
CID Homicide detectives had earlier received intelligence about a planned robbery and tracked the suspects’ getaway vehicle, a Honda Spike (AGG 0489), which was fitted with a tracker. Later that evening, a police pursuit led to the arrest of Kenny Mangena (65), Collen Banda (54), and Kudakwashe Mawonya (31). Mangena was shot in the leg while fleeing and is receiving treatment at Parirenyatwa Hospital under police guard.
Two other suspects, Felix Tagonera (35) and Clemence Fadzai (34), were later apprehended in Chitungwiza and Eastlea, respectively. Police recovered US$13,116 in total, including US$2,220 hidden under a car mat and large amounts found on the suspects.
The accused admitted to staging the robbery by waiting for the complainant’s arrival at home. A black 9mm blank pistol, pepper spray, gloves, and other paraphernalia were recovered from the getaway vehicle.
All five suspects have appeared in court. Four were remanded in custody to May 14, 2025, by the Marondera Magistrate’s Court, while the fifth suspect, who was injured, was remanded at Harare Magistrate’s Court to May 12, 2025.
Police say investigations are ongoing under CR 78/04/25 and CID Marondera DR 46/04/25.
