GUARDS OR SLAVES? THE SHOCKING CONDITIONS OF WHERE SOME GUARDS STAY. . . The guards claim they have not been paid for months . . . One of their colleagues was killed during a robbery . . . Firm’s boss says he is doing his employees a favour

Arron Nyamayaro

SECURITY guards, who lost a colleague who was killed during an armed robbery in Westgate, are living in deplorable conditions at a property owned by the businessman who runs the firm.

The security guards work for Strike Security Company.

Their colleague, Kona Mandlenkosi, 27, was killed by armed robbers at Hallingbury Primary School in Mabelreign.

The armed robbers struck him with crowbars.

The same gang of armed robbers is also suspected of raiding an orphanage in Westgate where they stole US$31,000.

The attacks came at a time when there has been a spike in armed robberies in Mabelreign, Westgate and Malborough.

Four schools in these areas were hit on the night that Mandlenkosi was killed.

Other guards — Letwin Moyo (25) and Almah Chivanga — are believed to have been attacked while guarding at ZAOGA Church in Westgate.

The death of Mandlenkosi has cast the spotlight on the company he worked for, Strike Security, amid grumblings from some of its workers.

There are claims, from some of the guards, that they have not been paid for months now.

This has raised fears that it creates a fertile landscape for some guards to even turn rogue, in desperation, and connive with armed robbers.

Sources have told H-Metro that some guards could be “working hand-in-hand” with criminals who appear to have inside knowledge of where the cash is kept.

One security guard tipped us that the conditions they were working under were deplorable.

“Visit at Strike Security in Mt Hampden and see how we are living in tin houses without ablution facilities.

“You are forced by the situation to stay there, waiting for wages, even when you are off duty.”

H-Metro visited the property in Mount Hampden, where some of the security guards are housed when they are on duty, and only go to their homes and families when they are off duty.

What we saw at this property is shocking.

There are some shacks, where the guards are housed, and many of them say they sleep in overcrowded conditions.

Many of the shacks do not have basic things like windows.

The conditions are not meant for professionals, who have the responsibility to guard key premises, and it was very clear that morale was very low among the security guards.

Strike Security director, identified only as Kaseke, asked us to give him the names of the employees who had raised issues with their working conditions.

Of course, we could not do that.

He then confirmed said that salary delays sometimes occur and blamed all this on the economic environment.

He said if his guards have not been paid for three months, why were they still reporting for duty?

He confirmed providing accommodation to guards at his property and described it as free housing.

He said his company operated from offices in Greencroft.

“I provided accommodation for our security guards at my residential stand.

“As for their wages, you cannot pay them when the coffers are dry.

“Employees must not take their issues to media.

“They must come and meet us over their grievances, not through the media,” said Kaseke.

Another security guard, Enock Mapasarwa (44), of Guard Alert was attacked during an armed robbery in Harare.

Another security guard, William Tonderai Makwara (21) of Clemcon Security company, was also attacked in a case in which robbers went away with US$987.

Earlier this week, police released a photograph of one of the suspected armed robbers, which was captured by CCTV at the crime scene, in Mabelreign.

For weeks now, armed robbers have terrorised the residents of these neighbourhoods.

But a lucky break could provide police with the breakthrough they needed to arrest the suspects.

One of the suspected armed robbers had his image captured on CCTV at a crime scene, giving police a major breakthrough in their investigations.

Police are now appealing for help from the public to help them crack these cases.

The photograph has earned the suspected armed robber a group of admirers online, with many of them wooed by what they are calling “good looks.”

Harare provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, said the CCTV footage was one of the prime suspects.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police, Harare Province, is investigating a series of robbery cases reported in Mabelreign and the Greater Harare Suburban District since February 2026.

“Operations are underway to identify and apprehend the suspects,” said Insp Chakanza.

He added that the suspects, believed to be a gang of four, have been targeting churches, schools, and private residences, using violence to break into premises, subdue victims, and steal cash and valuables.

“In some cases under investigation, sexual offences are also believed to have occurred,” he said.

Police have intensified patrols and deployed additional resources in affected areas.

Insp Chakanza said investigations are ongoing and there were some promising leads.

Members of the public have been urged to remain vigilant, strengthen home and community security, avoid keeping large sums of cash at home, and report suspicious activity.

A former Strike Security guard, who spoke to H-Metro, claimed that employees who confronted management about unpaid wages were sacked.

He said he worked for three months without pay and was dismissed after raising the issue.

“I worked for three months without salary, upon enquiring about it, I was sacked.

“They engage agencies who train security guards to replace anyone who demand his or her wages.

“Senior guards receive their wages on time except junior guards you are forced to beg for transport money.”