TEN suspected armed robbers who were using vehicles commonly used as ‘mushikashika’ to pick up and rob passengers have been arrested in Harare.

The suspects were using vehicles such as Honda Fit, Toyota Fun Cargo, Toyota Vitz and Toyota Sienta, to lure and rob passengers.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said, “The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of ten suspects in connection with a series of robbery cases in which unsuspecting passengers were targeted after being given lifts in mushikashika or pirate taxis in and around Harare’s central business district between January 20 and 28, 2025.”

The suspects are Liberty Matsika (37), Temptation Mazodze (30), Blessing Murize (32), Rodgers Marufu (26), Golden Tangwanda (38), Admire Makumalo (51), Ashely Bakasa (28), Ndoro Chiriwa Zambezi (28), Stanley Matarutse (48) and Nyasha Kamujoma (32).

“The arrests follow robbery incidents in recent weeks where criminals would utilise mushikashika vehicles to lure and rob passengers,” Commissioner Nyathi said.

“From January 20 to 28, police tracked the suspects in and around Harare’s CBD after receiving information that linked them to the robbery incidents. Subsequently, the suspects were arrested, leading to the recovery of cellphones, cash and other valuables.”