Chronicle Editor
Sheronrose Mugombi, [email protected]
POLICE in Bulawayo have arrested four suspects in connection with the armed robbery of a betting house employee who lost about R160 000 and US$9 000.
Four other suspects are still at large.
The arrested suspects are Nomzamo Nkiwane (42) and Alfred Taurai (43) of Nkulumane 5, Kelvin Tshuma (40) of Emganwini, and Vusumuzi Ndlovu (49) of Sibambene Village, Sezhube.
On January 14, an unnamed betting house employee was transporting cash from Bulawayo to Harare in a Honda Fit. The employee had collected R158 160 and US$9 339 from the betting house. While parked on Robert Mugabe Way in Parkview to package the money, a dark grey Mazda Axela with Botswana number plates blocked his exit.
One of the suspects, armed with a pistol and a brick, smashed the driver’s door and demanded the cash. The robbers seized the satchel containing the money and fled in their Mazda Axela. A police report was filed shortly after.
On January 20, police received a tip-off linking Nomzamo Nkiwane to the robbery. Acting on the information, they arrested her in Nkulumane 5 suburb.
During interrogation, Nomzamo revealed that her neighbour, Alfred Taurai, had informed her about the complainant’s routine cash collection from the betting house. Alfred, who previously worked as a security guard at the betting house, provided details about the complainant’s vehicle and schedule.
Nomzamo then shared the information with her cousin, Kelvin Tshuma, who, along with Vusumuzi Ndlovu, executed the robbery. Searches at the suspects’ residences led to the recovery of R2 000 in R200 notes from Nomzamo’s home.
She admitted to receiving R10 000 as her share, part of which she sent to South Africa, R1 600 in R200 notes and US$40 from Alfred Taurai, who also received R10 000, R200 and US$50 from Kelvin Tshuma, who led police to Esigodini, where Vusumuzi Ndlovu was arrested.
At Vusumuzi’s residence, police recovered R19 120, US$68, and a silver-grey Toyota Aqua used in the robbery. Vusumuzi admitted to receiving R20 000 as his share.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed that the total stolen amounted to R158 160 and US$9 339, while the recovered amounts are R22 920 and US$50.
“We are appealing for information leading to the arrest of the remaining suspects who include Bekithemba Mthimkhulu of Lobengula West, Robert Moyo, also known as Fana, of Old Luveve, Delvin White, also known as Bhoza, of Selbourne Park and Mdlalosi whose full name is unknown
“Anyone with information is urged to contact Bulawayo CID Homicide at (02922) 77523 or 71568, or report to any police station,” she said.
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