Armed robbers terrorise ZAOGA church

Luthando Mapepa
POLICE in Chimanimani have launched a manhunt for six armed robbers who terrorised a ZAOGA church in Chimanimani and vanished with money and goods worth thousands of dollars. The six are still at large and police are appealing to members of the public with information leading to the arrest of the assailants to report to the nearest police station.

Chipinge district assistant police spokesperson Sgt Clothing Ncube confirmed the incident which occurred on November 16 at around 3am at Zaoga church, Ngangu in Chimanimani. Sgt Ncube said: “Six unknown robbers who are still at large arrived at Zaoga church Ngangu, Chimanimani armed with wooden sticks, garden forks and iron bars. They attacked six church members who were conducting all night prayers. The robbers gained entry using the western door of the church which was closed but not locked.

“One of the accused was masked with cloth on his face and ordered the complainants to lie facing downwards and they proceeded to tie their hands on the back and put decoration cloth in their mouths. They then demanded cash and cellphones from the complainants and successfully took away four cellphones.”

Sgt Ncube said the other five accused persons broke into the church office while one of the masked robber was left manning the five complainants.

“The robbers broke into the church office by breaking the doors and burglar bars using iron bars.

“Whilst in the church office, they forced open the money safe and stole R7 600, 1 159 meticais and P191. The six then vanished from the scene,” said Sgt Ncube. In another unrelated incident which occurred at Birchenough Bridge growth point on November 17, eight unknown robbers tied a security guard and broke into Hurudza Wholesalers at around 1am.

Sgt Ncube confirmed the incident and said Nyasha Musiyarwo (28) a security guard who was on duty was approached by 8 unknown male robbers armed with axes, iron bars and logs. “The robbers suddenly manhandled Musiyarwo and tied his hands on the back with shoe laces. They also tied his legs with a piece of cloth. One of the accused struck Musiyarwo with a brick on his forehead and he fell on the ground.

“The accused persons forcibly broke the lock saddle of the screen door of the shop using unknown objects and gained entry into the shop while one was guarding Musiyarwo.

“While inside, they stole cash amounting to $277, two boxes loaded with 60 bricks each of 20 Madison packs and 1 big box loaded with 50 boxes of 10 Pacific packs. “A report was made to the police and no arrests have been made,” he added. Sgt Ncube said police are urging members of the public to deposit large amounts of cash into their bank accounts.