HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Two brothers were arrested and brought before a Zimbabwe court on Friday on charges of armed robbery at the residence of Kirsty Coventry’s parents, the newly elected President of the International Olympic Committee. John and Mike Nhongwe are accused of stealing cash and items valued at $90,000, while also holding Coventry’s parents at gunpoint, as reported by the police. The stolen items included jewelry, firearms, some of Coventry’s Olympic memorabilia, and $15,000 in cash. The robbery occurred on March 10.
Coventry, a two-time Olympic swimming champion and former Zimbabwean Olympian who retired in 2016, was elected as the new IOC President on Thursday in Greece. She is the first woman and first African to hold this prestigious role in sports. Coventry, who has been serving as Zimbabwe’s sports minister since 2018, is expected to return to her home country on Sunday, according to the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee.
The Nhongwe brothers allegedly restrained Coventry’s parents with shoelaces at their residence in Harare. It is unclear whether Coventry was in Zimbabwe at the time of the incident, which coincided with the final stages of the IOC election process. Details regarding the stolen Olympic gear and any potential recovery efforts are anticipated to be revealed in court on Saturday, when the accused men will face formal charges. The magistrate has ordered that they remain in custody until the court hearing.
As the most decorated Olympian in Africa, Coventry is set to commence her eight-year term as the head of the global Olympic organization in June, succeeding Germany’s Thomas Bach, who has held the position since 2013.
