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Crime Reporter
A CRACK unit of female homicide detectives attached to the Criminal Investigations Department’s Nehanda Team, has become a nightmare for marauding criminal gangs in the capital where it has been rounding up robbers terrorising residents and businesspeople.
The new team was specially created to operate under CID’s Women’s Network and has been creating waves in Harare where criminals are now quaking in their boots.
Four detectives of the elite team at the weekend cornered members of an Epworth-based robbery syndicate after a gun fight which ended with one of the suspects being killed.
Other members of the gang were arrested when the heroines called in reinforcements, including their male colleagues, leading to the recovery of guns and ammunition which the robbers were allegedly using to commit offences.
The suspects have since appeared in court and are linked to 10 cases of robbery, including the one which occurred on May 16, 2022 at a security company in Harare where US$142 995 cash and six firearms were stolen.
They are also suspected to have been behind another robbery case which occurred on March 2, 2024 at Chinhamo Service Station along Seke Road where US$10 650 cash was stolen.
Police have confirmed the arrest of Thembinkosi Matutu (47) and Batsirai Hutsi (21) and the death of Norest Prosper Mutambudzi (48) following a shoot-out in Epworth on July 18.
This followed the arrest of Innocent Chawaguta (37), Tafadzwa Chirinda Charute (36), Owen Mbayi (37), Promise Mussa (36), Tapiwa Chigwaze (39), Winston Matizanadzo (46), Kamuriwo Mudziwaona (39), Farai Chauke (38), Simbarashe Vhazhure (33), John Manobo (34) and Happy Matombo (58), in connection with a spate of robbery cases which occurred in Harare and surrounding areas from May 2022 to April 2024.
On July 17, 2024, the female detectives from CID Homicide acted on received information and arrested Thembinkosi Matutu at his residence in Chinamano Extension, Epworth.
Matutu implicated Mutambudzi and Hutsi as his accomplices.
Matutu lured Mutambudzi to Domboramwari in Epworth where the detectives had mounted an ambush. On seeing the detectives, Mutambudzi withdrew a firearm from his waist and a shoot-out ensued.
Resultantly, Mutambudzi was shot in the abdomen and was taken to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals for treatment where he was pronounced dead upon admission.
The detectives managed to recover a 9mm pistol with three live rounds and two 9mm spent cartridges at the scene.
On July 18, 2024, Hutsi was arrested at Muza Shopping Area in Epworth after a shootout.
The suspect’s arrest led to the recovery of a magazine with eight 9mm rounds, a .38 special Smith and Wesson revolver with one live round and a 9mm Llama pistol.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said, “The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that there is no going back in the fight against armed robbery cases in the country. The crack teams set up by the Zimbabwe Republic Police command are alert and will ensure that the law takes its course without fear or favour.”
Recently, a CID Homicide crack team comprising five females and one male was awarded certificates of excellence by the Commissioner General of Police, Godwin Matanga in recognition of the sterling performance and dedication to duty exuded by the detectives in apprehending a notorious serial killer, Thandolwenkosi Ndlovu (20) who was popularly known as Sauro.
They were Detective Sergeants Heather Bonokuhle Ncube, Nyarai Jestina Risinamwana, Lucia Atwabi, Rebecca Muchazondiitei Mvere, Yeukai Millcent Maraidza and their male colleague, Det Sgt Lawrence Chademana.
The homeless suspect, Ndlovu, had made headlines for brutally killing at least five people and seriously injuring another on different occasions in Harare’s Central Business District (CBD) within a week.
Ndlovu reportedly targeted fellow vagrants during the night while they were sleeping. In what appeared like ritual killings, he would fatally crash his victim’s head with stones before ripping open the stomach and extract some body parts, for unknown reasons.
Sauro’s lucky ran out when one of his victims survived the attack, albeit with serious injuries, and managed to identify the assailant.
This gave the detectives, who already had their ears on the ground, an eagerly sought lead to crack the mystery murders.
Online Reporter