Former police officer and private investigator Tafadzwa Chidawa has been remanded in custody after a warrant for his arrest was issued in connection to a five-year-old theft case. Chidawa is accused of orchestrating a staged robbery at Blue Ridge Lodge in 2020, which involved US$20,000 and was allegedly intended to cover up an affair.
The case has involved multiple suspects, with some still evading capture. According to court records, Melody Matanhire, the complainant, was misled by Malvern Mutanda, who convinced her that he had US$100,000 in soiled money that needed cleaning. Mutanda persuaded Matanhire to lend him US$20,000 in clean cash, with the promise of a commission in return. Matanhire, trusting Mutanda, withdrew the money from her home in Glen Lorne and accompanied him to the lodge, unaware of the plot.
Once at the lodge, Matanhire handed the money to Mutanda, who placed it in a cooler box. Chidawa, along with accomplices Paradza Passmore Matubu, Perseverance Chisango, and Francis Takura, arrived pretending to be law enforcement officers. They detained Mutanda and seized the cooler box, making it seem like an official arrest. Shortly after, the group released Matanhire and split the stolen cash among themselves.
The crime was uncovered when Matanhire, attempting to hide the theft from her husband, staged a fake robbery at her home. CID Homicide detectives investigated the situation, revealing the conspiracy. Mutanda’s arrest led to the recovery of part of the stolen funds.
Further inquiries resulted in Takura’s arrest after he was found driving a Mercedes Benz Compressor linked to the crime. Evidence from the vehicle, including an ID card belonging to Chidawa, tied him to the operation.
Chidawa, who missed a court appearance in January 2023 alongside Matubu and Chisango, is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow as his trial progresses. Meanwhile, Mutanda and Takura remain on the run. Authorities are continuing efforts to locate all suspects and ensure justice is served.
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H Metro
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