A Chitungwiza man has been sentenced to 60 years imprisonment for his role in the armed robbery of controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s lobola money.

Bigboy Nampungo, 32, received the hefty sentence after pleading guilty to six counts of armed robbery before Harare regional magistrate Jesse Kufa. Though sentenced to 10 years for each count, some terms will run concurrently, resulting in an effective 30-year prison term.

The robbery took place in mid-March at Alpha Omega Farm in Marondera where Nampungo and his accomplices, armed with rifles, pistols, machetes, and other weapons, targeted six members of Chivayo’s extended family.

Victims included Zex Mutasha Rusike, Petros Mabhunu, Medic Zhakata, Tinotenda Shonhiwa, Gerald Muteke, and Vimbai Muteke.

Court records show that on March 18, the gang assaulted security guards before forcing one to open the house using a bolt cutter. Once inside, they demanded cash and valuables from the occupants.

Gerald Muteke surrendered US$18,000, a pistol, and several phones, while Vimbai Muteke was forced to reveal her safe key and hand over US$1,100 and a mobile phone. The robbers then took her to the main bedroom where she opened another safe containing US$55,000 in cash.

The total value of stolen items amounted to US$74,000, with the court hearing that the money was intended for Chivayo’s lobola (bride price) payment.

While Nampungo begins his lengthy sentence, his co-accused – including Garikai Shangwa and Temptation Dinhidza – remain in custody with their trial scheduled to resume on April 10.