Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba [email protected]
A DISTURBING crime wave is sweeping through the Midlands, with robbers now brandishing fake pistols so realistic that terrified victims can’t tell them apart from the real deal.
In one case in Kwekwe, petrol attendant Maria Muchekeza was robbed of US$2 000 by a masked thug waving what looked like a real pistol.
“When they raided my shop, they were holding what looked like a genuine pistol. Only after their arrest was I told it was a replica. In that moment, you can’t tell the difference as it feels real,” she said.
CID Kwekwe boss Detective Chief Inspector Samuel Gono confirmed the alarming trend.
“Several suspects have been arrested in a police crackdown after a spate of robberies where criminals were using fake pistols and pellet guns. We have recovered toy guns, pellet guns, shockers and Colombian knives during the operation,” he said.
The blitz, codenamed No to Illegal Firearms, Dangerous Weapons or Toy Guns, has also netted machetes and other weapons used in violent crimes.
Kwekwe District police chief, Chief Superintendent Ison Chapeta, said the clampdown followed a prohibition order issued on 14 August.
“This has led to several arrests of people in connection with armed robberies and grievous bodily harm. We urge communities to work with police in fighting crime. We cannot win this war without public support,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner Christopher Ngulube, Midlands police admin chief, said stop-and-search operations were targeting both fake and undeclared firearms in hotspots where mining and farming cash circulates.
