Mthokozisi Ncube
WOOLENDALE residents in Umguza endured a terrifying night as armed robbers raided four homes, assaulting occupants with sticks, logs and an axe before escaping with cash and mobile phones.
The suspects struck between 12.20am on October 14 and 2.30am on October 15, targeting residents in separate incidents and stealing valuables worth hundreds of United States dollars.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed that police were investigating the four robbery cases.
In one of the attacks, a 58-year-old man was asleep in his bedroom at around 12.20am on October
14 when four unidentified suspects allegedly forced open his bedroom door.
The gang reportedly struck him on the right arm with a baton stick before demanding cash and a cellphone.
The terrified victim handed over US$20 and a Vivo cellphone before the suspects fled. The total value stolen was reported as US$55, and nothing was recovered.
Later that evening, at around 7pm, an eight-man gang allegedly stormed the room of a 28-year-old man through an unlocked door.
Armed with axes and logs, the suspects reportedly struck him once on the back with a log before ordering him to lie on the floor.
They allegedly searched his pockets and stole a Vivo cellphone and an Itel P36 cellphone before fleeing. The total value stolen was reported as US$100, with nothing recovered.
At around 11.30pm, the robbers struck again, allegedly forcing their way into the home of a 53-year-old woman who was asleep in her bedroom.
The suspects demanded cash and mobile phones, threatening to kill her if she refused to comply.
She handed over US$50, a Samsung cellphone and a Redmi cellphone, but the gang allegedly continued ransacking the house.
They reportedly made off with another US$200, a walkie-talkie radio, a Huawei cellphone, an Itel cellphone and a Villaon cellphone.
The total value stolen in the attack was reported as US$625, and nothing was recovered.
In the fourth incident, a 59-year-old man was jolted awake at around 2.30am on October 15 by voices outside his bedroom.
The suspects allegedly used an axe to smash their way through his wooden bedroom door before demanding cash.
When they attacked him with the back of an axe and open hands, he sustained bruises on his left arm.
The gang then ransacked his room and escaped with his Itel P38 cellphone. The total value stolen was reported as US$60, and nothing was recovered.
Inspector Msebele appealed to anyone with information that could help identify and arrest the suspects to report to the police.
“We appeal to members of the public with information that may lead to the arrest of the accused persons to come forward and report at any nearest police station,” she said.
