Online Reporter
Amos Mpofu, Chronicle Reporter
A FAMILY from Bulawayo’s Hillcrest suburb has been left devastated after losing savings amounting to US$11 780 and R4 500 to three armed robbers, who raided their home on Saturday.
Bulawayo provincial deputy police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Thandekile Ndlovu, confirmed the incident, stating that police have since launched investigations.
“Police are investigating a case of armed robbery, which occurred at Leicester Avenue, Hillcrest, Bulawayo, on 25 October 2025 at around 8PM,” she said.
According to the police statement, the complainant — a 35-year-old woman — was at home with her six children in the evening.
The children were in the lounge while she was resting in her bedroom when three unknown men, armed with a pistol and an okapi knife, forced their way into the house.
The robbers reportedly confronted the children first, demanding their mobile phones, before two of them proceeded to the bedroom where the mother was sleeping.
“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 Assistant Inspector Ndlovu.
The robbers took US$200 hidden under a laptop, US$140 and ZAR4 500 from a drawer, and US$60 from her purse.
They then demanded the keys to the safe, from which they stole an additional US$11 780.
One of the suspects grabbed the keys to an Audi vehicle, and the trio escaped by jumping over the perimeter wall and driving away. Fortunately, no one in the house was injured during the ordeal.
Assistant Inspector Ndlovu appealed to members of the public with any information that could assist in apprehending the suspects to report to their nearest police station or contact Hillside Police Station on 244422 or Bulawayo Operations on 2883930/273547.
She also urged residents to prioritise the safety of their savings by using formal banking channels.
“We encourage members of the public to avoid keeping large sums of money at home and to rather bank their money,” she said.
Despite ongoing police efforts to curb armed robberies nationwide, such incidents remain a concern, with at least one case reported weekly across the country.
