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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporter
TWO suspected armed robbers allegedly pounced on a woman from Binga who was hitch-hiking in Bulawayo and got away US$310, $155 bond notes and groceries worth P7 195.
The incident occurred along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road near Richmond at about 6:20PM on Monday.
Bulawayo acting police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, confirmed the incident.
She said the woman was coming from Botswana and wanted to hitch-hike to her home in Binga, Matabeleland North.
“The victim had just disembarked from a bus coming from Botswana at Amakhosi International Cultural Centre and wanted to commute to Binga.
“She decided to catch lifts at the popular hitch-hiking site near Amakhosi and boarded a Toyota Wish whose owners were touting along the Bulawayo/Victoria Falls route. After travelling for a short distance, the vehicle turned into a road near Richmond and the driver, who was with another male adult, stopped the car,” she said.
Asst Insp Msebele said the suspects became violent as they robbed the woman.
“They produced an Okapi knife and hit the woman with a fist ordering her to surrender all the money in her possession. They robbed her of US$310, $155 bond notes and P7 195 worth of groceries which included children’s uniforms among other things before speeding off and leaving their victim behind,” she said.
Asst Insp Msebele said their victim walked to Mzilikazi Police Station where she made a report.
She appealed to members of the public who might have information relating to the case to come forward.
Meanwhile, police in Bulawayo have arrested two suspected burglars who allegedly stole household property worth $2 675 and hid it at one of the suspects’ sister’s home.
Surprise Dube (39) and Prince Mbewe (23) were arrested on Monday after breaking into Ms Pateners Ndlovu’s (28) home in New Lobengula suburb and stealing household gadgets.
Asst Insp Msebele confirmed the duo’s arrest.
She said the pair was arrested following a tip off from members of the public.
“We have two suspected burglars who broke into a house in New Lobengula suburb and stole household property. The stolen property includes a 32-inch plasma Hisense television set, a Telefunken DVD player, 4,5kg gas tank, a fan and a fruit mixer among other valuables,” Asst Insp Msebele said.
She said the duo hid the property at Dube’s sister’s home in the same suburb.
“The public tipped off police officers that there was some stolen property being kept at the suspect’s sister’s home. Acting on the tip off, cops visited the house and discovered the stolen property. The sister implicated her brother Surprise who was then arrested and led officers to his accomplice where additional stolen property was identified,” said Asst Insp Msebele.
“As a result of their alleged theft, the victim would have lost property worth $2 675 but fortunately everything was recovered. We want to applaud members of the public for the co-operation and providing us with information that led to the arrest of the suspects.”
She urged members of the public to continue working with the police and report any suspected criminal activities on their toll free numbers 111 for NetOne subscribers, 999 for landlines and a 24-hour hotline number 0292-8885479. — @nqotshili
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