shloboe boe
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
A FEW minutes before closing his tuckshop in Bulawayo’s Nketa 6 suburb last Thursday night, Mr Mqalisi Dube found himself facing the barrel of a gun as two armed robbers demanded cash and valuables from the small business owner.
Fearing for his life and that of his teenage son, Mr Dube handed the day’s earnings of US$85 and a cellphone.
The two robbers proceeded to grab soft drinks from a refrigerator in the tuck shop before vanishing into the darkness.
“The robbers attacked shortly after 8pm while I was inside the tuck shop with my son. They came from the direction of the park where there are a lot of trees and tall grass and they also escaped in the same direction,” said Mr Dube.
He said his son tried to raise the alarm by screaming for help while following them prompting them to fire a single shot to scare him off.
“We were lucky to escape the robbery unharmed. We are now scared for our safety if armed robbers can target a small business such as a tuck shop,” said Mr Dube.
“They didn’t seem to have a getaway vehicle waiting for them. They just ran into the park and disappeared into the darkness.”
Police detectives were called to the scene and they canvassed the area in search of a cartridge from the bullet that was fired by one of the armed robbers.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident.
“On 6 February 2025 at around 8.30pm, the complainant a male adult aged 38 years from Nketa 6 suburb in Bulawayo was at his kiosk located near his place of residence when he was confronted by two men wearing balaclavas,” she said.
Asst Insp Msebele said one of the suspects pointed a pistol at the complainant and demanded cash.
“The complainant surrendered the cash box that contained US$65. The suspects searched the complainant and took an Itel cellphone. They also took two fizzy drinks from the refrigerator,” she said.
Asst Insp Msebele said the suspects fired one shot into the air before running away.
“The complainant made a police report, police officers attended the scene and no arrest was made. The total value stolen is US$105 and nothing was recovered. We would like to advise business owners to close their premises early to avoid being targeted,” she said.
A fortnight ago, a gang of three armed robbers attacked A Sai Mart outlet in New Lobengula suburb in a botched attempted robbery.
Residents of the suburb pelted the armed robbers with stones forcing the gang to flee on foot.
The shop manager was shot in both thighs after he told the armed robbers that he did not have keys to the business’ strong room where cash is kept.
Last year in December three armed robbers struck a Choppies outlet in New Luveve and made off with US$1 000. They fired three shots, injuring the manager and a security guard before fleeing on foot.
Online Reporter