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Freeman Razemba Crime Reporter—-
AT least 3 499 people were kidnapped and robbed by pirate taxi drivers countrywide in the first half of this year, while 284 others fell prey to armed robbers. The situation is more critical in Harare where at least 1 200 cases of kidnap and robbery by pirate taxi drivers were recorded in the past four months alone, with most of the victims being offered lifts in and around the city.
The figures are high but reflect a five percent decrease compared to the same period last year when 4 108 cases were recorded.
National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi yesterday said armed robberies involved the use of firearms, while plain robberies were cases where people were robbed without the use of firearms.
“Armed robbery cases are going down, but we are concerned with plain robbery cases which involve pirate taxis, especially in Harare, Bulawayo, Kwekwe and Mutare, among other small towns where people are offered lifts during the night and attacked,” he said.
Chief Supt Nyathi said in some of the cases, drivers were also falling victim to robbers as they were hired and ended up losing their cash and vehicles.
He urged people to desist from using private vehicles as they would end up falling prey to criminals.
Chief Supt Nyathi said travellers should use designated pick up points, saying police had put in place adequate measures to curb this.
Police statistics for Harare indicate that at least 342 plain robberies were recorded in September, 308 in August, 222 in July, while 255 others were recorded in June.
It is also reported that between 10 and 15 cases of armed robberies are reported every month in and around the capital.
Last month, over 24 suspects were arrested in separate incidents in Harare on allegations of committing a number of robberies, some armed.
Police said among those arrested, were eight suspects nabbed at Granville Cemetery during the burial of their accomplice Boris Mushonga (35) while three others were arrested for robbing and killing a police officer.
Most of the robberies involve motorists either as victims or perpetrators.
Criminals are using private motor vehicles, especially Toyota Ipsum, Carina, Spacio, Raum, Caldina, Vitz, Corolla, Honda Fit and CRV models to pick up unsuspecting commuters at undesignated points in the city centre, before robbing them.
In most cases, the vehicles would have at least four male occupants and the driver while in other cases, a female occupant would be among the robbers to draw the confidence of commuters.
The criminals usually leave space for one or two passengers whom they would drive out of town before robbing and dumping.
Some commuter omnibus crews were also using the same modus operandi and at times removed the vehicle’s rear registration number plates before pouncing on their victims.
Over the past few months, police launched various operations targeting the criminals, including Regional Simultaneous, Zvigwagwagwa and Batai Munhu.
Last month, police arrested eight suspects at a funeral procession of one of the five suspected armed robbers who died when a Toyota Raum they were travelling in collided with a bus near Zindoga Shopping Centre along Simon Mazorodze Road in Harare.
Police said the five were on their wanted list on allegations of robbing passengers using their getaway vehicle and commuter omnibuses during the night.
They were targeting cash, cellphones and laptops, among other valuables.
Online Reporter