Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo [email protected]
RENOWNED gospel musician Mambo Dhuterere has been named by police as one of four accomplices wanted in connection with a series of armed robbery cases involving more than US$160 000 in stolen cash.
Police said Dhuterere is on the run alongside Khule Diva, Kasongo and Senior Gama following the arrest of three other suspects linked to the robberies.
According to a police statement, Tinei Makaripe (47), Pungurayi Mukumbachaza and Gabriel Mukambachaza (41) have been arrested in connection with several armed robberies in Ruwa, Rusape and Harare.
The latest robbery occurred on September 13, when the suspects and their accomplices allegedly raided a company at Borders Estate in Ruwa at about 12.30AM and got away with US$108 000 after attacking and restraining company workers.
Makaripe was apprehended by workers after he allegedly fell while attempting to scale the company’s perimeter wall and was subsequently handed over to police.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Pungurayi in Damofalls Phase One, Harare, where detectives recovered US$4 900 allegedly hidden in his vehicle.
Gabriel was arrested at his rural home in Rusape, where police recovered US$5 000, two pistols, ammunition, handcuffs, fuse cables, explosives and three balaclavas.
Police said one of the recovered firearms, a Tokarev pistol, had allegedly been stolen during an armed robbery at a steel company in Southerton on March 12.
The suspects are also being linked to four other armed robbery cases, including a January 26 robbery at a beverages company in Rusape in which US$39 828, a Star pistol loaded with five rounds, pepper spray, handcuffs and three cellphones were allegedly stolen.
Another robbery occurred on March 12 at a steel company along Tilbury Road, Southerton, Harare, where US$14 118 was allegedly stolen.
Meanwhile, police are also appealing for information following the fatal shooting of businessman Tadius Rutanhire (52) during an armed robbery in Bulawayo on Monday.
Police said three unidentified suspects shot Rutanhire with a pistol near a service station along JM Nkomo Street, between Third and Fourth avenues, before fleeing with his bag containing US$10 000.
The businessman had reportedly just closed his shop and was walking towards his son’s vehicle when he was attacked.
