Money heist mastermind in court

A SUSPECTED ZB Bank money heist mastermind and some of his family members were back in court facing money laundering charges and acquiring assets through proceeds of crime.

Shepherd Njowa and his wife, Patricia Kanhukamwe, along with Joyce Mandishona, Gift Mandishona and Abel Manyika were remanded to January 4 when they appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi.

Njowa was remanded in custody and will be back for his bail application.

Initially, Njowa appeared in court facing robbery charges and was denied bail.

Kanhukamwe appeared in court on accusations of deliberately lying to police about Njowa’s whereabouts. She was granted bail.

However, yesterday, Njowa and Kanhukamwe appeared facing different charges.

Circumstances are that Njowa in company of other accomplices robbed a ZB cash-in-transit crew cash amounting to more than US$2 million and shared it among themselves.

It is further alleged that Njowa connived with Kanhukamwe, Joyce and Gift who are Kanhukamwe’s siblings, to conceal the ill-gotten money.

It is the State’s case that the accused purchased two residential stands in Stoneridge consisting of three-roomed cottages.

Manyika, who is Kanhukamwe’s cousin, purchased two vehicles, a Toyota Wish and Toyota Hiace using money from the heist.