Online Reporter
Amos Mpofu
A BULAWAYO family from the leafy suburb of Hillcrest was left counting heavy losses after three armed robbers raided their home and got away with US$11 780 and R4 500 in a daring Friday night heist.
The robbers pounced at around 8pm, catching a 35-year-old mother and her six children unawares at their Leicester Avenue home.
Bulawayo provincial deputy police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Thandekile Ndlovu, confirmed the robbery.
“Police are investigating a case of armed robbery which occurred at Leicester Avenue, Hillcrest, Bulawayo, on the 25th of October 2025 at around 2020 hours,” said Ass Insp Ndlovu.
The robbers, armed with a pistol and an okapi knife, first confronted the children in the sitting room, demanding their mobile phones, before storming into the bedroom where the mother was resting.
“The accused persons woke her up and instructed her not to make any noise. They pointed a pistol at her neck, tied her hands and demanded cash,” said Ass Insp Ndlovu.
The thugs ransacked the house, taking US$200 hidden under a laptop, US$140 and ZAR4,500 from a drawer, and US$60 from her purse. Not done, they demanded keys to the safe and made off with US$11 380 stashed inside.
Before vanishing, one of the suspects grabbed keys to the family’s Audi, and the trio reportedly jumped over the durawall before speeding away.
No one was injured, but the emotional and financial toll has left the family shattered.
Ass Insp Ndlovu urged members of the public to report any information that could lead to the suspects’ arrest to their nearest police station or contact Hillside Police Station on 244422 or Bulawayo Operations on 2883930 / 273547.
She also appealed to residents to avoid keeping large sums of money at home.
“We encourage members of the public to avoid keeping large sums of money at home and to rather bank their money,” she said.
Police say armed robberies remain a worrying trend, with new cases reported almost every week across the country.
