Armed robbers hit a farm in Marondera early Tuesday. They took $75,000 cash plus personal stuff from the family of businessman Wicknell Chivayo's new wife. Police believe this money came from what Chivayo paid for his wedding to Lulu Muteke on March 8. Rumors claimed he spent $300,000 on the marriage, but Chivayo said publicly he paid much less, around $20,000.
He did admit sending exactly $75,000 to help her parents prepare everything for the ceremony. The trouble started when gunshots woke up neighbors near Alpha Omega Farm. Christopher Mudzingwa Muteke, father of the bride, sent emergency messages asking nearby farmers for help. Several showed up but quickly backed away after seeing how many armed men swarmed the property.
The attackers looked extremely organized. Witnesses spotted a large white truck parked close by. The farm had protection from four security guards - three hired from a company called DM Security plus one employee who worked directly for the family. Just after 1 AM, someone grabbed a guard from behind. He turned to see about 19 men carrying rifles, pistols, bolt cutters, machetes, and metal bars coming his way.
These criminals beat him badly and demanded locations of other guards. They tied his hands behind his back using cable ties. The gang moved through the yard fast and caught another guard, stealing his shotgun. They smashed a third guard's head with iron bars before cutting off a padlock with bolt cutters to enter the house. Gerald Muteke, 37, encountered them in the hallway and immediately handed over $18,000, his pistol, and two Samsung phones when they demanded cash.
The robbers found Vimbai Muteke, 43, in her bedroom next. She gave them $1,100, her phone, and keys to the main bedroom safe. They emptied it, taking $55,000 more. A brave neighbor heard what happened and fired twice from his rifle, making the criminals run away. As they escaped, they shot back three times. Police found an iron bar dropped during their escape and plan to check it for fingerprints. When reporters called Chivayo Tuesday, he said nobody had told him about the robbery yet.
He did admit sending exactly $75,000 to help her parents prepare everything for the ceremony. The trouble started when gunshots woke up neighbors near Alpha Omega Farm. Christopher Mudzingwa Muteke, father of the bride, sent emergency messages asking nearby farmers for help. Several showed up but quickly backed away after seeing how many armed men swarmed the property.
The attackers looked extremely organized. Witnesses spotted a large white truck parked close by. The farm had protection from four security guards - three hired from a company called DM Security plus one employee who worked directly for the family. Just after 1 AM, someone grabbed a guard from behind. He turned to see about 19 men carrying rifles, pistols, bolt cutters, machetes, and metal bars coming his way.
These criminals beat him badly and demanded locations of other guards. They tied his hands behind his back using cable ties. The gang moved through the yard fast and caught another guard, stealing his shotgun. They smashed a third guard's head with iron bars before cutting off a padlock with bolt cutters to enter the house. Gerald Muteke, 37, encountered them in the hallway and immediately handed over $18,000, his pistol, and two Samsung phones when they demanded cash.
The robbers found Vimbai Muteke, 43, in her bedroom next. She gave them $1,100, her phone, and keys to the main bedroom safe. They emptied it, taking $55,000 more. A brave neighbor heard what happened and fired twice from his rifle, making the criminals run away. As they escaped, they shot back three times. Police found an iron bar dropped during their escape and plan to check it for fingerprints. When reporters called Chivayo Tuesday, he said nobody had told him about the robbery yet.
