Two South Africans Linked to US$600K Armed Robbery in Zimbabwe, Driver Implicated as Inside Man
Two South African nationals have been implicated in a daring armed robbery in Harare that saw former Dynamos chairman Rafiq Adam lose over US$600,000 in cash and valuables.
The robbery, carried out in broad daylight, has now led to the arrest of Adam’s driver, who allegedly helped orchestrate the heist.
Driver Turns on Boss in $600K Heist
According to ZimLive, on June 16, 2025, armed robbers stormed Merchantman Enterprises at 93 Cameroon Street, where Rafiq Adam was seated at the reception. One of the men reportedly struck Adam on the forehead with the back of a pistol before demanding cash.
Adam surrendered US$500 from his pocket and handed over keys to his office safe. The robbers then force-marched him to the office, where they unlocked the safe and made off with US$600,000 in cash.
They also ransacked the premises and stole high-end electronics including:
- An iPhone 13 Pro Max and Samsung Fold from the director’s office
- A Samsung Galaxy, a Samsung 04, an iPhone 16 Pro Max, and a V-lion from employees in the cash office
The gang later dropped the iPhone 16 Pro Max and a Samsung Galaxy along Leopold Takawira Street near ENBEE shop as they fled.
Insider Identified and Arrested
Samson Gora, 35, employed by Adam as a driver, was arrested on June 27 after CID Homicide detectives received a tip-off linking him to the robbery. According to prosecutors, Gora allegedly confessed to supplying the gang with inside information about the money being kept on the premises.
He was formally charged with armed robbery when he appeared before Harare magistrate Donald Ndirowei on Monday. Gora was denied bail and remanded in custody to July 16.
Gora Received $10K Cut, Helped Police Recover Evidence
Gora told detectives he received US$10,000 from gang member Nyengerayi Chikwadze alias “Chipato,” who claimed he had only been given US$20,000 by fellow suspect Oscar Muchenje and the two unnamed South African accomplices.
Following his arrest, Gora led investigators to his brother Willard Gora, where some of the proceeds had been hidden. Police recovered:
- US$4,400 in cash
- Three Samsung Note 20 phones
- Three Samsung Galaxy phones (allegedly bought for US$1,500)
- A Toyota Hiace vehicle believed to have been purchased with part of the stolen funds
The search for the remaining suspects—including the two South Africans—continues.