Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
SIX armed robbers stormed a mine in Odzi in the early hours of last Friday, overpowering a security guard, and escaping with pregnant carbon worth US$20 000 in a daring midnight raid.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the incident, and said investigations are underway to track down the suspects, who were armed with pistols and concealed their identities with black balaclavas.
The robbery occurred at Madhumbu Milling Company shortly after midnight on May 8.
The gang is alleged to have subdued the lone guard before making off with the carbon.
Pregnant carbon refers to activated carbon that has absorbed gold particles during the extraction process at a mine or milling plant — making it highly valuable and a frequent target for criminal syndicates.
“I can confirm a robbery case which occurred at Madhumbu Milling Company, Odzi, where six unknown suspects armed with pistols attacked a security guard and stole pregnant carbon valued at US$20 000,” he said.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said the complainant, Mr Lovemore Mutokosi, who was on patrol duties at the mine, was ambushed shortly after midnight by the six unidentified men.
“On May 8, 2026, at around 12am, the complainant was patrolling at the mill when six unknown male adults approached him, armed with three unidentified pistols, and wearing black balaclavas covering their faces,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka, adding that one of the robbers grabbed the complainant from behind, while others disarmed him of a 303 rifle.
“One of the accused persons who was armed with a pistol grabbed the complainant from behind, while the other accused persons disarmed him of his 303 rifle,” he said.
“The complainant wrestled with the accused person who had grabbed him, but to no avail,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka, adding that the armed gang assaulted the security guard.
“One of the accused persons struck Mr Mutokosi once on the forehead using a pistol grip, while another stabbed him on the left-hand finger with an unknown sharp object,” he said.
“Two of the accused persons who were armed with pistols threatened to shoot him if he did not comply with their orders,” he said.
The gang allegedly stole Mr Mutokosi’s cellphone before tying his hands with a rope and leaving him guarded inside the cabin.
While one suspect guarded Mr Mutokosi, the other robbers allegedly proceeded to the carbon room, where they broke the locks and forced their way inside.
“The accused persons proceeded to the carbon room, broke the locks using a sharp object, gained entry and stole four 50kg bags of pregnant carbon,” he said.
Mr Mutokosi managed to alert another mine worker, Mr Sam Mutowe (21), who untied him before the matter was reported to the police.
ZRP Odzi attended the scene and recovered the 303 rifle, which was left inside the cabin.
“The rifle, Serial Number 2480, which is registered in the name of Mr Shadreck Madhumbu, was recovered at the scene. Mr Mutokosi sustained cuts to the forehead and left-hand finger, and was referred to Victoria Chitepo Hospital,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
Nothing has been recovered and investigations are continuing.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka urged mining companies and security personnel to strengthen security systems and avoid working alone during night patrols.
