Armed robbers terrorise police at roadblock

A DARING group of four armed men in Masvingo robbed police officers who were manning a roadblock of cellphones and their uniforms after which they shot and killed a man who had offered them transport.

The first incident where the suspects attacked police officers occurred on Thursday at a police roadblock along Nemamwa-Muchakata Road.

In the second incident, the suspects are said to have boarded a Toyota Fun Cargo which was travelling to Chiredzi.

When its driver discovered that he was carrying criminals, he tried to escape before one of the suspects shot him and he was rushed to Masvingo General Hospital where he succumbed to the gunshot wounds.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the two incidents, saying investigations are underway.

“Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating a series of armed robbery cases which occurred on 11 January 2024 in Masvingo from the central business district to Renco and at a police roadblock site along Nemamwa-Muchakata Road in Masvingo in which police officers were attacked by four unknown suspects who were travelling in a Honda Fit vehicle, registration number AEW 1786,” he said.

“The suspects stole two cellphones, one riot trousers, a grey shirt, an STU cap and a pair of brown shoes.”

Asst Comm Nyathi said police were robbed while on a mission to ambush stock-theft suspects. The criminals posed as members of the uniformed service.

Asst Comm Nyathi said before raiding the police, the armed robbers had attacked a Honda Fit driver, whose car they used as getaway transport.

“The Honda Fit vehicle in which the suspects were travelling in was stolen in another robbery case which occurred on 11 January 2024 at around 10am near Chikato Primary School. The suspects had hired a taxi driver from Pick and Pay, Masvingo to Nemamwa purporting that they wanted to consult a prophet. Along the way, the suspects attacked the driver before stealing the car,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

He said after raiding the police the suspects abandoned the car where they boarded a Toyota Fun Cargo at Gurutsime Business Centre near Renco Mine purporting to be travelling to Chiredzi.

Asst Comm Nyathi said the driver of the vehicle along the way became suspicious of his passengers, disembarked from the vehicle and tried to escape.

He said one of the suspects pulled out a pistol and shot him in the chest.

“Upon reaching Renco turn off, the complainant disembarked from the vehicle and tried to run away after suspecting that he was carrying armed robbery suspects. Subsequently, one of the suspects shot the complainant in the chest with a pistol and drove away towards Chiredzi along Ngundu -Tanganda Road,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

“The complainant later died at Masvingo General Hospital. As police, we are all out to ensure that the suspects are arrested.”

Asst Comm Nyathi appealed to the public who might have information on the whereabouts of the suspects to come forward.

“The police are working flat-out to ensure that this robbery syndicate is arrested quickly for the law to take its course. The public is urged to give any information on the syndicate’s movements on the National Complaints desk on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp on 0712 800 197 or report at any nearest Police Station,” he said.

Asst Comm Nyathi appealed to members of the public to desist from offering transport to strangers.

“Transporters or motorists should therefore assist in the maintenance of law and order in the country and in the process curb the commission of robbery cases where they will also end up as victims,” he said. — @nqotshili