Zimbabwe: 18 Robbers Jailed a Combined 1000 Years for Raiding Chivayo's in-Laws' Marondera Farm

What the report says

Eighteen armed robbers have been jailed for a combined 1,000 years after being convicted over a violent raid on Alpha and Omega Farm in Marondera, Zimbabwe, according to New Zimbabwe, republished by AllAfrica. The sentence was handed down by Harare regional magistrate Masaiona Shotgame after a full trial in which all 18 accused denied the charges.

The article says the attack took place on March 18, 2025, around 1 a.m., when the gang allegedly arrived with rifles, pistols, bolt cutters, machetes and iron bars. Court evidence reported by New Zimbabwe said security guards were assaulted during the raid, after which the robbers forced access to the bedrooms and took cash and valuables from members of the Muteke family, including a safe containing additional money.

The publication also says the group targeted a separate property linked to Cossam Siminya and later stole a cellphone from a tuckshop worker. Nine of the defendants received effective sentences of 76 years each, while the other nine were given 55 years each, with part of the punishment to run concurrently. The case is notable because it involves a large, coordinated armed robbery at a farm connected to businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s in-laws, highlighting security and violent crime concerns in rural and peri-urban Zimbabwe.