Armed robbers hit the Marondera farm belonging to Wicknell Chivayo's family members yesterday morning. The group of 20 men took $75,000 cash plus several personal belongings during their attack. This money reportedly came from Chivayo's payment for his marriage to Lucy "Lulu" Muteke just ten days earlier. Chivayo had previously rejected rumors about paying $300,000 for the bride price but admitted sending $75,000 to her parents.
Early Tuesday gunfire woke up Christopher Mudzingwa Muteke who quickly sent emergency messages to nearby farmers asking for help. These neighbors rushed over but backed away when they saw how many armed people were there. The attackers seemed highly organized with military-style methods and brought a white truck for their operation. The farm had protection from four security guards but they were no match for the raiders.
One guard from DM Security told police that a robber grabbed him before he noticed 19 other men carrying weapons including rifles, pistols, bolt cutters, machetes and metal bars. The criminals beat this guard and used cable ties to bind his hands. They then attacked a second guard and took his shotgun. A third guard received a head injury before the group broke into the main house by cutting off a padlock.
The robbers first met Gerald Muteke inside who handed them $18,000, his pistol and two Samsung phones. Next they entered Vimbai Muteke's bedroom where she gave up $1,100, her phone and keys to a safe holding $55,000. The raid ended when a neighbor fired two warning shots from a distance, causing the thieves to run away. Police later found an iron bar left behind which they plan to check for fingerprints as evidence.
Early Tuesday gunfire woke up Christopher Mudzingwa Muteke who quickly sent emergency messages to nearby farmers asking for help. These neighbors rushed over but backed away when they saw how many armed people were there. The attackers seemed highly organized with military-style methods and brought a white truck for their operation. The farm had protection from four security guards but they were no match for the raiders.
One guard from DM Security told police that a robber grabbed him before he noticed 19 other men carrying weapons including rifles, pistols, bolt cutters, machetes and metal bars. The criminals beat this guard and used cable ties to bind his hands. They then attacked a second guard and took his shotgun. A third guard received a head injury before the group broke into the main house by cutting off a padlock.
The robbers first met Gerald Muteke inside who handed them $18,000, his pistol and two Samsung phones. Next they entered Vimbai Muteke's bedroom where she gave up $1,100, her phone and keys to a safe holding $55,000. The raid ended when a neighbor fired two warning shots from a distance, causing the thieves to run away. Police later found an iron bar left behind which they plan to check for fingerprints as evidence.
