A Harare businessman is counting his losses after a night at his girlfriend’s house in Ruwa turned into a financial and security nightmare. Joseph Maruta (40) reported the theft of US$184,900 in cash and his firearm from his lover’s residence on Saturday, H-Metro has reported.
According to police reports, Maruta, who is involved in supplying potato seeds, had collected US$181,000 in cash from a farm owned by a prominent politician in Kwekwe earlier that day. After concluding his business, he returned to his Kambuzuma home, collected his pistol, and proceeded to his girlfriend Leoba Hunda’s place in Springvale, Ruwa.
Maruta carried the bag containing the substantial sum of cash and his firearm, loaded with two magazines of 15 rounds each, into Hunda’s house. After Hunda secured the premises by locking the door, the couple retired to the bedroom for the night.
Around 2am, Maruta was awakened by the sound of an alarm. His girlfriend went to investigate and returned to inform him that the alarm had been triggered at a neighbour’s property.
However, when Maruta awoke the following morning, he discovered that the bag containing the cash and his firearm had vanished.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza confirmed the incident, stating, “Police are investigating an unlawful entry and theft case in Ruwa.” He added, “They noticed that the complainant’s rear windscreen was damaged. The complainant lost his firearm and a total of US$184,900.”
The circumstances surrounding the theft remain unclear, and police are currently investigating how the thieves gained access to the house and made off with the valuable items.
