3 suspected armed robbers nabbed

Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
POLICE have arrested three suspected armed robbers that have been on the run for about a month after robbing passengers travelling in a bus from Harare to Beitbridge.

Jabson Shonhe (39) from Beitbridge, Augustus Sinanda (34) from Gokwe and Freddy Chihwana (28) from Harare allegedly pounced on a Regestep Bus on December 31 at around 4AM and made off with R5 500, $220 bond notes and eight cell phones.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the arrests. He said Shonhe and Sinanda were found in possession of a revolver and nine rounds of ammunition.

“I can confirm that we have arrested three men who are suspected to have robbed passengers that were travelling in a bus from Harare to Beitbridge on 31 December. Freddy Chihwana was arrested on Tuesday in Harare after police received a tip off while Shonhe and Sinanda were arrested on Monday in Beitbridge.

“On Monday police received a tip off that Shonhe was travelling in a bus from Beitbridge to Harare. Police intercepted the bus at a roadblock near Puma Service Station in Beitbridge.

“The cops conducted a search and found that Shonhe was in possession of an unloaded revolver and a satchel which contained nine rounds of ammunition. Shonhe was in the company of his accomplice Sinanda who was also arrested,” he said.

Chief Insp Ndebele said passengers were travelling in a Regestep Bus from Harare to Beitbridge and when the bus got to the 274 kilometre peg along the Masvingo-

Beitbridge Road at Madamuli area, one of the accused persons who was also in the bus proceeded to the front, drew a pistol and fired some shots at the driver’s window before ordering him to stop the bus.

He said the accused person further fired three shots into the roof of the bus and instructed all passengers to look down while another accused person collected cell phones and money from passengers.

Chief Insp Ndebele said the other accused person stood guard at the back of the bus.

He said after committing the offence, the trio fled into the darkness while the driver proceeded to Beitbridge Police Station to file a report. — @DubeMatutu