Man Accused in $600K Armed Robbery Allegedly Bought House and Minibus With Stolen Money

A man accused of involvement in a violent $600,000 armed robbery targeting businessman Rafik Adam reportedly used part of the stolen funds to purchase a house and a commuter minibus.

Stewart Ngwenya, 40, from New Magwegwe in Bulawayo, was arrested and brought before the court on Monday. He was remanded in custody and advised to seek bail through the High Court. Ngwenya did not enter a plea.

Authorities allege that Ngwenya was part of a gang that staged a violent robbery at Merchantman Enterprises on June 9, located at 93 Cameroon Street in central Harare. The suspects reportedly entered the premises posing as customers before producing a firearm.

The group is said to have assaulted Rafik Adam, a former Dynamos chairman and ex-manager of the Warriors national team, striking him on the head with a pistol and demanding money. Adam handed over US$500 and the keys to a safe.

The assailants allegedly made off with US$600,000 in cash and several expensive mobile phones belonging to staff, including an iPhone 13 Pro and a Samsung Fold. Some of the stolen devices were later recovered on Leopold Takawira Street, where they were discarded during the gang’s escape.

Police say the robbery may have been planned with help from someone inside the business. On June 27, investigators arrested Samson Gora, who had been working as Adam’s driver. During questioning, Gora reportedly confessed to providing the robbers with information about the cash stored in the office.

Following his arrest, police recovered US$4,400 in cash, several Samsung smartphones, and a Toyota Hiace minibus believed to have been purchased with the stolen money.

Ngwenya was arrested nearly a month later, on July 27, after detectives in Bulawayo received intelligence linking him to the robbery.

He allegedly admitted to spending part of the loot to buy a silver Toyota Hiace worth US$20,500 and led police to a US$95,000 house in the Sunning Hill area of Bulawayo, specifically located at Stand Lot 14 of Glencoe, Willsgrove.

Ngwenya is the latest individual apprehended in connection with the high-profile robbery, which authorities describe as a well-planned heist involving a network of suspects. Some of the accused remain at large as investigations continue.

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