Foreign Nationals Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Gold Robbery in Zimbabwe
Four foreigners have been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery in Zimbabwe. They plotted to steal gold from a smuggler traveling to Zambia. The authorities were alerted and successfully intercepted the suspects, recovering gold and firearms in the operation. The suspects will return to court on March 18.
In Harare, four foreigners—Gohga Kan from Singapore, Wu Ke Wen from China, and Sierra Leoneans Aruna Saidu and Foday Kamara—faced conspiracy charges related to a gold robbery. They were implicated in a scheme targeting a Chinese smuggler transporting 4 kilograms of gold to Zambia via the Chirundu Border Post. During their brief court appearance before Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa, they were advised to seek bail at the High Court.
The National Prosecuting Authority reported that on February 27, 2025, Kan solicited local resident Ozias Matsikete’s assistance to orchestrate a robbery. Kan claimed he owned firearms and aimed to recruit additional partners for the heist. Matsikete informed the detectives from CID Homicide about the conspiracy immediately.
On March 1, Kan instructed Matsikete to convene with the recruited accomplices in Karoi to identify a robbery site, reportedly selected for its closeness to Zambia. Detectives, posing as accomplices, accompanied Matsikete in a Mercedes-Benz to the meeting with Kan, who was driving a white Toyota Prado. Kan disclosed a location for the robbery, emphasizing that potholes would impede the target vehicle.
Following a subsequent meeting on March 8, Kan indicated that the robbery was set for March 9, bringing Matsikete into contact with Saidu and Kamara, asserting he would provide them firearms for the operation. Detectives prepared a strategy to prevent the robbery, coordinating an operation to apprehend the suspects and retrieve the gold.
In the early hours of March 9, following a tip-off from Kan regarding a gold-laden vehicle with Zambian registration, detectives intercepted it at the Nyabira tollgate. They arrested the driver, Joseph Phiri, and passenger Liu Wieqiang, and apprehended Kan and Wu in a Honda Fit. A search of the Toyota Prado uncovered approximately 4.018 kilograms of gold hidden beneath the car radio, while Saidu and Kamara were arrested in Karoi, where two unregistered 9mm firearms were recovered. The quartet is slated to return to court on March 18.
The incident underscores a serious issue of cross-border crime linked to gold smuggling in the region. The swift action by authorities to thwart the robbery and apprehend the suspects reflects a proactive approach toward combating such criminal activities. The legal proceedings scheduled for March 18 will determine the next steps for the accused individuals.
Original Source: www.zimlive.com
