Carjacking gang nabbed

Arron Nyamayaro

FIVE car-jackers masquerading as genuine travellers, who robbed taxi drivers of their motor vehicles and other valuables, have been arrested.

One Tirihama alias Machingura aged 26 of Epworth, Narvick Nhowa, 28, and John Kamba, 42, both from Highfield in Harare, John Nyoni, 21, and Tichaona Dhava, 26, of Beitbridge were arrested after CID detectives intercepted them driving a Honda Fit.

In a statement, CID spokesperson, Detective Assistant Inspector Rachael Muteweri, said the five had hijacked cars between April 2022 and January 2023 in the Harare Central Business District as well as in the border town of Beitbridge.

“Police detectives arrested the six suspects and they have since appeared before Magistrate Stanford Mambanje at Harare Magistrates Court where they were remanded in custody to 26 January for routine remand.

“Further investigations revealed that the motor vehicle was reportedly stolen in Beitbridge and that the accused persons had committed similar offences in Harare and Beitbridge.

“The accused persons later led a team of detectives to a bushy area near Mangava Shopping Centre, Beitbridge, where a pellet gun and toy gun used in the commission of the crimes were recovered.

“The accused persons are now clearing four cases of robbery of motor vehicles,” said Det Ass Insp Muteweri.

She said one of the cases occurred in December last year.

“In one of the cases that occurred on December 21 at around 4am, the accused persons purported to be genuine commuters and approached the complainant who was parked at Mashakada Shopping Centre, Beitbridge, and hired him to New Stands in Beitbridge.

“Along the way, they robbed the complainant of his motor vehicle at gunpoint and drove off leaving him stranded,” she said.

Using the same modus operandi, the gang robbed another complainant of his Toyota Sienta on December 24 at around 10pm in Harare.

Masquerading as genuine clients, the gang hired the complainant from a night club in the Harare CBD to Lochinvar.

Along the way, they robbed him of his vehicle at gun point.

“As the ZRP, we continue to encourage motorists to maintain a high level of security on their vehicles by installing alarm systems, anti-hijack systems and tracking devices.

“Keys should be removed from the ignition port and doors locked whenever the motor vehicle is left unattended. To taxi operators, it is advisable to always vet customers before offering services to them,” said Det Ass Insp Muteweri.