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Munyaradzi Musiiwa, Midlands Correspondent
A gold dealer from Gweru lost US$60 000 cash and jewellery worth US$23 000 when armed robbers pounced on him at his residence last week.
It is understood Mr Riyaaz Petker (39) of Southdowns, a gold dealer who operates from Silobela was keeping US$60 000 in his house.
A police source told Sunday News that the incident occurred on Monday at around 6pm in Southdowns.
“On the said date and time, Mr Petker had some visitors. The visitors left around 6pm, through the kitchen door.
“The visitors allegedly left the door open. It is said that the two robbers used the same entrance and found Mr Petker sitting in his lounge watching TV.
The robbers allegedly force-marched him to the bedroom at gunpoint where they forced him to open the safe. They got away with money and valuables worth more than US$83 000,” said the source.
The source further said the matter was reported to the police but nothing has been recovered yet.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko confirmed the incident but could not give details referring this reporter to National Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi who was, however, unavailable for a comment.
Armed robbery cases are on the rise around the whole country with the robbers targeting gold dealers and artisanal gold miners.
On Tuesday last week, a gold agent, Thulani Moyo was shot by six men who got away with over US$40 000 cash, 400 grammes of gold and other valuables including cellphones all worth over US$65 000 in Ilanda suburb in Bulawayo.
He is admitted to Mater Dei Hospital.
Police have always warned people against keeping large sums of money in their homes.
Bongani Ndlovu