Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
Police in Beitbridge have recovered a car that was stolen at gunpoint in the border town at the weekend and have also rescued a girl who was kidnapped during the robbery.
In addition, six suspected armed robbers have been arrested for a spate of robberies committed between April and September this year.
The six suspects have so far been linked to eight armed robbery cases that occurred in Beitbridge district during the period, with police saying the arrests represent a breakthrough in their ongoing crackdown on violent crime.
The vehicle, a Jaguar, was stolen on Sunday morning and was later recovered in Zvishavane after the suspects were involved in an accident while attempting to escape.
Police said the car has since been taken to Zvishavane Police Station for safekeeping while arrangements are being made to bring it back to Beitbridge.
The acting Officer Commanding Beitbridge District, Superintendent Philisani Ndebele, said on Wednesday that the police were following positive leads on the recent robberies that occurred on Saturday night into Sunday morning and also assured the community that more arrests are imminent.
“We have some positive information about the robberies which occurred on Saturday night, coming into Sunday morning,” said Supt Ndebele.
“There is some information which we are following, and it is positive. We promised the community that very soon they were going to receive good news about that.”
He confirmed that the six accused persons are already in custody and are assisting police with investigations that have cleared several cases.
“The arrest of the six accused persons is already on record; we arrested six accused persons, and they are also assisting us to clear about eight cases here, which occurred between April and September,” said Supt Ndebele.
“So that is very positive, that is a very positive move, and we promise that we are going to continue to work tirelessly.”
He said the suspect in the Jaguar armed robbery was still at large after fleeing the scene following the accident in Zvishavane.
Supt Ndebele said no suspect has been arrested in that specific case yet, but investigations are progressing well.
“I want to update you on the theft of the motor vehicle which occurred on Sunday morning,” he said.
“That vehicle was recovered in Zvishavane, although it was involved in an accident, and there is some positive information that we are following up on.
“And I promise that something is happening from our side, and we are going to score successes very soon.”
Supt Ndebele also confirmed that the girl who was kidnapped during a robbery at the New Medium Density suburb has since been reunited with her family.
He urged members of the public to avoid keeping large sums of money at home and to desist from posting financial plans on social media, saying such behaviour makes them targets for criminals.
He also warned illegal money changers against flashing cash in public places.
“People must not keep large sums of money at home. They must not post on their status that they have plans to do with money,” said Supt Ndebele.
“We also appeal to illegal foreign currency dealers to stop that business of flashing money on the streets, which makes them targets of criminals.
“We have noted that these are being attacked at their homes at night and hence we call for responsible behaviour from people in possession of large amounts of hard cash.”
He further appealed to pirate taxi operators to be vigilant when hired by suspicious clients and to report any unusual behaviour to the police.
Supt Ndebele said police will intensify night patrols and clamp down on unnecessary movements at night as a preventive measure.
He said members of the public should only move when it is necessary, while police continue to appeal for information that could lead to more arrests.
