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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporter
TEN unknown armed robbers raided a gold miner’s home in Colleen Bawn, Matabeleland South, and attacked two occupants before getting away with US$40 000.
The same gang is said to have moved to a neighbouring home where they attacked its occupants and got away with R310 000.
Both incidents occurred on Saturday at about 2AM.
Police have raised concern over raids occurring in houses where victims are keeping large sums of money.
In a statement yesterday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said some of the cash would be obtained from illegal dealings.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has noted with concern the number of people being targeted by robbers while keeping large sums of cash in their homes, vehicles or business premises. In some cases, the cash will be proceeds of illegal activities such as illegal gold mining. On 16th October 2021 (Saturday) at around 2AM, 10 unidentified suspects pounced at a 70-year-old mine owner’s homestead in Collen Bawn where they attacked two of his family members before stealing US$40 000 cash and a cellphone,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
“On the same date, the suspects went to a nearby homestead where they stole R310 000 cash, two cellphones as well as car keys of an unregistered Ford Ranger pick-up vehicle from a couple suspected to be involved in illegal gold dealings. The suspects cut the perimeter fence using an unknown object and broke into the house through the kitchen door before they demanded cash from complainants.”
He said on Sunday, four pistol-wielding robbers raided a 32-year-old man from Bulawayo getting away with US$5 000.
Asst Comm Nyathi said the victim was driving a Mercedes Benz C120 along Leopold Takawira Avenue in the city centre at around midnight when he was intercepted by four suspects who were in a Honda Fit vehicle registration number AEQ7448.
“The suspects produced an unidentified pistol before they dragged the complainant out of the vehicle and took the money which was in a glove compartment in the dashboard,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
In another matter which occurred in Kadoma on Sunday, Asst Comm Nyathi, said two unknown armed robbers used a rifle to raid a shop of a known gold buyer in the gold mining town and got away with cash.
He said the suspects got away with US$3 777 and ZW$8 000.
Asst Comm Nyathi appealed to members of the public, who might have information that would lead to the arrest of the suspects, to come forward.
“The ZRP is appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of the suspects. Anyone with information should contact the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 702631, Bulawayo Operations on (0292) 273547 Harare Operations on (0242) 748836 or Police General Headquarters WhatsApp number 0712 800197 or report at the nearest police station,” he said. – @nqotshili
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