Chronicle Editor
Raymond Jaravaza ,[email protected]
TWO members of an armed gang bought cigarettes at a rural grocery store in Jiba Village, Insuza, Umguza District, just minutes before closing time on Monday night, only to return hours later to rob the shop and terrorise its employees.
The gang of six spent the day drinking alcohol and casing the shop before launching their attack. According to a shop employee, the two suspects purchased cigarettes around 8 PM, shortly before the store closed.
“They seemed like ordinary customers at the time. Little did we know they were planning something sinister,” said a shopkeeper.
After the employees retired for the night, the gang broke into the shop, tied up the employees with an electric cable, and ransacked the place.
“They were armed with pistols, knives, and axes. They demanded gold and cash, and then proceeded to take everything they could lay their hands on,” said the shopkeeper.
The stolen items included an unknown amount of cash, groceries, a 48-volt lithium battery, an inverter, an amplifier, a nine-kilogramme gas tank, and cellphones. The loot was loaded into a getaway silver Honda Fit vehicle, registration number AEY 4843.
The shop owner alerted the police, who later intercepted the suspects at the toll gate along the Victoria Falls-Bulawayo Road.
“Detectives ordered the suspects to stop, but they opened fire, leading to a shoot-out,” said national police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
The suspects were confirmed dead at the United Bulawayo Hospitals.
More to follow…
Online Reporter