Moffat Mungazi
Lovemore Kadzura
Weekender Reporter
THREE suspected armed robbers allegedly impersonating traffic police officers and robbing unsuspecting motorists, particularly those driving delivery trucks are on the prowl in Manicaland.
The suspected robbers, clad in traffic police uniforms, are setting up roadblocks along major highways in the province.
Last month, the robbers struck twice on the same day along Nyazura-Chivhu Highway.
In broad daylight, they manned an illegal roadblock and robbed a Kitoko Brandy truck, making off with US$3 285 cash and other valuables.
The same night, they robbed a Parnmart delivery truck along Rusape-Nyanga Highway, and escaped with US$1 115 cash and cellphones.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the robberies, adding that the robbers would signal motorists to stop.
The unsuspecting motorists would comply as the robbers would be wearing police uniforms.
The robbers would then pounce on the motorists, before locking them in their trucks’ loading boxes.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said Mattaparthi Sirinivas Rso, the director of Kitoko Brandy, and his driver, Shorai Nyakufuka (42), were robbed along Nyazura-Chivhu Highway by the suspected criminals, who later produced a machete during questioning.
“On February 22, Rso, of Southerton, Harare was in the company of Nyakufuka of Eastview, Harare who is employed as a driver. Nyakufuka was driving a DAF truck along Chivhu-Nyazura Highway towards Chivhu.
“Upon approaching the 122km peg around 11am, they saw three unknown male adults who were clad in police uniforms with traffic sleeves. One of the robbers stopped the truck and Nyakufuka complied. One of the robbers told Nyakufuka that he wanted to check what was in the truck’s loading box.
“Nyakufuka switched off the vehicle and went to the back of the car with one of the suspects.
“Nyakufuka opened the door of the loading box and showed the suspect the inside. The suspect ordered Nyakufuka to enter into the loading box for him to be able to have a full view of the load, however, he refused. A misunderstanding arose and the suspect assaulted Nyakufuka with fists on the face several times.
“The suspect produced a machete. He tied Nyakufuka’s hands with his shoelaces and forced him into the loading box. As this was happening, another suspect was interviewing Rso about his permit documents.
“The robber never bothered to check the documents, but handcuffed Rso, cut off the seat belts, and escorted him to the back of the vehicle where he was also shoved into the loading box.
“While inside, the two suspects searched the complainants and took cash US$3 285, vehicle keys, power bank, brown satchel and ear pods. The robbers locked the complainants inside the loading box and fled from the scene.
“The complainants yelled for help, and one passer-by rescued them. The complainants made a police report at ZRP Buhera who attended the scene. The accused persons are still at large. Value stolen is US$3 684 and nothing was recovered,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
On the same night along Rusape-Nyanga Highway, the three armed robbers allegedly set up a roadblock and waved David Muranda who was driving a PanMart delivery vehicle in the company of Stanford Kaswa to stop.
The robbers signalled Muranda to pull off the road and he complied.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said the robbers instructed Muranda and Kaswa to open the loading box, which they did.
The suspects allegedly produced a gun before robbing them of cash and other valuables.
They robbers locked the two inside the loading box before driving off in an unidentified double cab vehicle.
“On February 22, at around 9pm, David Muranda was driving a PanMart Bakery delivery van along Rusape-Nyanga Highway towards Rusape with his workmate, Stanford Kaswa. On approaching the 30km peg, Muranda saw a blue light and three accused persons. He slowed down thinking it was a police roadblock.
“One of the suspects signalled Muranda to pull off the road and he complied. Muranda was instructed to disembark and open the loading box as they wanted to inspect the vehicle.
“Muranda opened the loading box, and one of the suspects produced a revolver firearm and ordered the complainants to enter into the loading box and they complied.
“The robbers searched the complainants and took US$1 115 cash from Muranda’s pocket, three cellphones, a wallet containing his driver’s licence and 20kgs rice.
“The robbers locked the complainants in the loading box and fled in a twin cab vehicle whose colour and registration complainants could not determine.
“The complainants were rescued the same night by a passer-by who heard them calling for help. They reported the matter to ZRP Rusape and investigations are underway,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka appealed for information leading to the arrest of the criminals, and said all those with details should notify their nearest police station.
Online Reporter