Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
A GANG of five machete-wielding robbers, who brutally assaulted a security guard at Dora High School on the outskirts of Mutare, leading to his death three days later, are currently at the top of the police’s wanted list for murder and robbery.
The stolen items include two laptops, 10 learning aids, and US$20.
Dora High School Development Committee chairperson, Mrs Rudo Maguyana (50), of Magodyo Village, under Chief Zimunya, reported the incident to the police.
The victim, Raymore Muzeya (35), from Mambondiani Village, under Chief Zimunya, was employed by the SDC as a security guard.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said the nasty incident occurred on June 1, around 3am.
Muzeya was on duty, armed with a pellet gun, when he was approached by five unknown male adults armed with machetes.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said: “The accused persons tied Muzeya’s hands, legs and sealed his mouth using sellotape, and took his mobile phone. They demanded the keys to the strong room, asking where the money was kept. The accused persons proceeded to the administration block, where they forced entry by breaking doors using the machetes.
“They ransacked the clerk’s office in search of valuables and cash, but failed to find anything. The accused persons then broke into the strong room using the machetes and set off detonators, blasting open the small Chubb safe. The explosion shattered all the windows due to the vibration. They searched the entire office and stole two HP laptops, 10 learning aid tablets and US$20.”
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka further said the accused persons returned to the security guard, and assaulted him on the head four times with the machetes, demanding money.
The complainant sustained deep cuts.
The accused persons subsequently dragged the victim for approximately 200 metres from the Form One block, and abandoned him behind the Form Six classroom block before fleeing from the scene.
The offence was discovered around 6am by Mr Godfrey Chawarika (24), a general worker at the school, who alerted the teachers.
Mr Chawarika and the teachers initiated a search for the complainant, and found him lying unconscious at the back of the Form Six classroom block, with his hands and legs tied with strings and his mouth sealed with sellotape.
He was bleeding profusely.
They rescued him by untying him, removing the sellotape, before rushing him to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, where he was admitted for treatment.
The total value of the stolen items is estimated at US$2 240.
A report was subsequently filed at ZRP Mutare Rural Police Station.
Upon attending the scene, police observed that the main door of the administration block had been broken, all windows were shattered, and fragments of glass were scattered around the block, with cracked walls evident.
The strong room door had been destroyed, while the Chubb safe was open, as a result of the blast.
Bunches of keys were scattered throughout the administration block.
All offices were filled with dust emanating from the shaking walls caused by the blast.
A dragging trail associated with a bloodstained path was also observed, stretching for approximately 200 metres.
Muzeya later succumbed to the injuries sustained during the robbery while admitted at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital on June 4.
