Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
A BUSINESSMAN lost US$30,000 to armed robbers, who fooled him they were dealers, in Harare on Saturday.
Bannet Sibanda received a call from a man, only identified as Randburg, who promised to deliver groceries from South Africa, at a significantly low price.
Intrigued by the offer, Bannet began communicating with Randburg, through WhatsApp.
Randburg insisted that Bannet should bring US$10,000 after work on Saturday evening, claiming that he and his colleague were planning to leave for South Africa.
At approximately 5pm, Randburg called Bannet to confirm their meeting along Hebert Chitepo Street, near the Showgrounds, in Belvedere, Harare.
Bannet drove to the location where he saw Randburg seated in a Toyota Fortuner.
Bannet stepped into Randburg’s car, opened his bag and started counting the money.
However, another man entered the vehicle, brandishing a knife.
He then stabbed Bannet on both legs.
The two men than seized Bannet’s bag, which contained $30,000, and drove from the crime scene.
Bannet was later abandoned at a tollgate along Dema Road.
Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, police spokesperson for Harare province, confirmed the incident.
“The complainant sustained injuries and is receiving medical attention.”
This story looks cooked. First Hebert Chitepo Rd is nowhere near the Harare Showgrounds. Second, Randburg is a very suspicious name for a person. Third no person can do business involving so much money in some isolated place if it’s all legit. Third, if the deal was for $10 000, why carry $30 000? Something is fishy in this story. This seems to be an illegal deal that went awry.