Daring night raids rock Mutare’s industrial hub

Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
A GANG of armed robbers is suspected to be behind a series of daring night raids on companies in Mutare’s industrial areas last week, where safes were blasted open and offices ransacked.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the incidents, saying investigations are underway to track down the suspects.
“We can confirm that there were robbery incidents at companies in the Nyakamete Industrial Area where unknown suspects attacked security guards, broke into offices and attempted to steal cash from safes. Police are currently investigating the cases and no arrests have been made so far,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
The first incident occurred in the early hours of last Thursday at Shumba Construction Company, which shares premises with Revolver Gas, about 5km from Mutare’s Central Business District.
“Six unidentified men wearing balaclavas ambushed a security guard at the premises at around 1.30am. The security guard, Mr Farai Mukuru, who was seated inside the garage area, was approached by the suspects who demanded to be shown the location of a safe.
“After he told them he did not know where it was, the gang allegedly forced him towards the back of the offices where a truck driver, Mr Rhulani Shiviti from South Africa, was asleep inside his vehicle while waiting to deliver gas the following morning,” he said.
The suspects reportedly woke up the truck driver and demanded cash.
He surrendered his cellphone and wallet containing 400 South African Rand.
However, the robbers only took the cash and returned the phone and wallet.
“The two men were force-marched to the Revolver Gas office where the attackers ordered them to lie face down, before tying their hands and legs using shoelaces. The gang proceeded to break into the Shumba Construction offices using a sharp object.
“Inside the building, they forced their way into a room housing a gun cabinet. Using an electric grinder, the suspects allegedly cut open the cabinet and stole a CZ pistol, together with a magazine containing five rounds of ammunition and a spare empty magazine,” he said.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said after the robbers fled the scene, the two complainants managed to untie themselves and alerted the police.
He said in a separate, but similar incident the previous night, another gang of about 10 armed men attacked security guards at Boarder Timbers in Nyakamete Industrial Area.
“The suspects emerged from the darkness at around 10pm while armed with unidentified pistols and button sticks. They confronted the security guard, Mr Samuel Taurayi, who was manning the eastern gate.
“The attackers grabbed him, and tied his hands with shoelaces, before forcing him to lead them to two other security guards who were patrolling the administration block. Upon reaching the offices, one of the suspects allegedly pointed a pistol at the guards, ordering them to remain silent and comply with instructions. The three guards were forced to lie face down and were tied up while three suspects remained behind guarding them,” he said.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said the remaining suspects broke into the administration offices where they ransacked several rooms in search of cash.
“The gang moved to other offices within the premises, including Flume Investments and the accounts department.
“They drilled through a wall leading to a strong room and used explosive detonators to blast open a safe. The blast was heard three times by the tied-up guards. The suspects later dragged out three safes and used an electric grinder to cut them open,” he said.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said police investigations revealed that the safes contained no cash or valuables.
“The security guards managed to free themselves and reported the incident to the police,” he said.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka warned businesses to beef up their security systems, and urged members of the public to provide information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects.
“We urge companies to install proper security systems such as alarms and CCTV cameras to deter criminals. Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects should report to their nearest police station,” he said.