Chronicle Editor
Amanda Mlevu, Sunday News Reporter
POLICE in Zvishavane have arrested five suspected armed robbers who pounced on a mine and went away with seven 50kg bags of gold ore after disarming a security guard of his service pistol.
The suspects, Munashe Chigwendere (29), Richard Machipamba (23), Samson Mudenda (23), James Mativenga (42) and Allen Marambire are in police custody as investigations are still under way. Their arrest led to the recovery of cars suspected to be get away vehicles, the gold ore, the firearm and other dangerous weapons which were used in the commission of crimes.
Police spokesperson for Midlands Province Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the arrest in a statement.
He said the arrest of the five suspects was in connection with a case of robbery which occurred at a mine in Matshalaga area in Zvishavane.
He said the gang pounced on the mine and attacked a security guard who was on duty. They were armed with axes, a teargas injector, catapults and logs which they allegedly used to attack and disarm the mine guard of his shotgun.
“Other mine workers who were on duty fled in different directions before the gang loaded gold ore in 50kg sacks and disappeared into the darkness with the firearm,” said Insp Mahoko.
He said investigations that followed led to the case recovery of cars and equipment that was used in the robbery together with sacks of gold ore.
“We managed to recover three motor vehicles which were used in the robbery, two Fun Cargo motor vehicles and a Toyota Vitz. We also recovered a shotgun, seven 50kgs sacks of gold ore, two axes, two iron rods, one shovel, two hammers, a pair of catapults and a teargas injector,” said Insp Mahoko.
He said the total value of stolen and recovered property is yet to be ascertained. Police suspect that the gang could have been terrorising the communities in and around Zvishavane and they have appealed to members of the public who could have been victims of robbery cases to approach the officer in charge police in Zvishavane for assistance in identifying the suspects.
To curb the cases of armed robbery, police in the Midlands Province last week issued a 12-day amnesty for holders of unlicensed firearms or those with expired licences to hand over the guns to their nearest police station without any risk of criminal charges.
In a statement, Insp Mahoko emphasised the need to have all firearms accounted for saying armed robberies take place in communities and residents were always afraid of falling victims to robberies, adding that police have upped their game in the fight against such cases.
Last year, President Mnangagwa announced a similar amnesty which saw more than 500 unregistered firearms being surrendered to the police.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter