The duo Donald Bumhira (40) and Edwin Chiora (38) of ZRP PPU Tomlinson appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi who remanded them out of custody on US$100 bail each.
Allegations are that on October 6, this year accused persons were deployed at plot 25 Glen Forest, Chief Chinamora, Domboshava and were given an FN rifle serial number 1515 with a fully charged magazine of 20 live rounds and a AK 47 serial number 9943 with a fully charged magazine of 30 live rounds.
lt is alleged that on a date unknown to the prosecutor but between the period extending from 6 October 2023 to 19 October 2023 the accused persons failed to properly secure the firearms and lost an FN rifle fully charged with and a magazine of 20 live rounds.
The state alleges that on October 19, the accused persons prepared for a hand over shift that is when they discovered that the FN Rifle serial number 1515 was missing and advised their command and a report was made at ZRP Mverechena base leading to their arrest.
lt is alleged that the case was referred to CID Homicide Harare for further management.
On October 21 at around 0108hrs the stolen rifle was recovered at plot number 58 Glen Forest, Chief Chinamora after an unknown accused person attempted to steal broilers at the plot.
The thief was then cornered by members of the neighbourhood and he bolted out of the fowl run in the process dropping the stolen rifle with a magazine of 19 rounds.
The recovered FN rifle matched that stolen from the accused persons and one live round was missing.
The recovered rifle was taken to CID Ballistics for examination.
The state alleges that the stolen property is worth US$1000 and value recovered is US$995.
Source Nehandaradio
