‘Prophet’ and Accomplice in Court Over US$250K Harare Heist

HARARE – A self-proclaimed prophet and his alleged accomplice have appeared in court following their arrest in connection with a high-value US$250 000 robbery that investigators say was carefully planned and executed with inside assistance. Learnmore Mirison (25) and Thomas Kanhu (31) were brought before Harare regional magistrate Jesse Kufa, where they were remanded in custody pending a bail hearing. The case has drawn attention for its alleged links to an insider and the scale of the theft.

According to prosecutors, the duo worked with a third suspect, Obert Mirison, who was employed as a night guard at the premises targeted in the robbery. Authorities believe the guard provided critical access and information that enabled the suspects to bypass security undetected.

The complainant, businessman Zhang Yung, had reportedly secured the cash in a safe inside a locked room earlier on the day of the incident. Investigators allege that under the cover of darkness, the suspects used keys taken from within the property to gain entry, remove the safe, and smuggle it out without raising suspicion, pointing to what police describe as a “well-coordinated inside job.”

Court documents indicate that the suspects used multiple hired vehicles to move the safe across different locations in an attempt to evade detection. The safe was eventually taken to a secluded mountainous area in Eastview, where it was allegedly forced open. Prosecutors say the trio then divided the cash, with the security guard reportedly taking the largest share before going into hiding. Police have since launched a manhunt for the fugitive suspect.

The theft came to light the following morning when the complainant noticed that keys were missing. After forcing entry into the secure room, he discovered that the safe had vanished and filed a report with the Zimbabwe Republic Police. Security experts say such cases highlight vulnerabilities in internal controls.

“Most high-value thefts of this nature involve insider knowledge. Businesses must strengthen access control systems and conduct regular staff vetting,” said Harare-based security consultant Admire Chikobvu.

Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) tracked down Mirison, who allegedly cooperated with authorities and led them to key evidence. Police recovered US$31 800 in cash from his residence, along with the stolen safe and a blanket believed to have been used during the heist. Kanhu was later arrested, and a search at his premises led to the recovery of US$25 700, an iPhone 16 Pro Max, and an unregistered Honda Shuttle suspected to have been purchased using proceeds from the robbery.

Authorities say a total of US$70 600 has been recovered so far, while efforts continue to locate the third suspect and recover the remaining funds. Legal experts note that if convicted, the accused could face lengthy prison sentences under Zimbabwe’s criminal law for armed robbery and theft. The two men are expected back in court as investigations into the high-profile robbery continue, with police indicating that more arrests could follow.

Harare robbery US$250000