HARARE - A member of neighbourhood  watch committee, who was on the run after allegedly robbing a granite processing company in Chitungwiza, was arraigned before a Harare magistrate yesterday.

Bonface George and his accomplices allegedly robbed Black Granite of $185 032, 1 128 050 Zambian Kwacha and 15 250 Kenyan Shillings.

The courts heard that in September this year, George with Ignatius Muchanyu and Tichaona Siwala who have already appeared in court and 10 accomplices who are still at large connived to rob Black Granite Company.

George is a member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Neighbourhood Watch Committee.

Upon arrival, George, Muchanyu and Siwala who were clad in police uniform allegedly approached two security guards, Zaranyika Chirambadare and Ignatius Mangwiro manning the premises and accused them of selling granite rocks during the night.

The trio allegedly force-marched the guards into one of their vehicles indicating that they were taking them to Harare Central Police Station for further investigations.

They drove away with the guards leaving behind their accomplices who broke into the offices and stole two safes and two cash boxes which contained $185 032, 1 128 050 Zambian Kwacha and 15 250 Kenyan Shillings and drove away.

The three later dumped the guards at a bushy area near Manyame Air Base and later met at George’s house in Nyamayaro Village, Goromonzi where they shared the loot.

George was arrested after the police acting on a tip off intercepted him at his residence.
 
Magistrate Tshuma remanded him in custody to November 23 for trial. - Ivan Zhakata