Gutu church loses $24,000 to thieves

Walter Mswazie  Masvingo Correspondent
THIEVES broke into a Zaoga Church in Gutu, Masvingo, and got away with cash amounting to more than $24,000 early on Thursday last week, police confirmed. The gang gained entry through a window which had a broken handle and bent the burglar bars using a metal object suspected to be an iron bar.

Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Peter Zhanero said the criminals were still at large.

“I confirm receiving a report of unlawful entry and theft involving cash amounting to $24,683. The burglars disappeared after committing the crime and police have since launched a manhunt,” he said.

Insp Zhanero said the suspects forced open the doors leading to the church offices after which they proceeded to the one that had a safe.
“The suspected burglars had to cut the padlocks to the security screen leading to the offices before reaching a safe in another office.
“They also force opened the locked office before blowing the safe containing cash using dynamites. Thereafter they got away with all the cash they found inside and disappeared,” he said.

Insp Zhanero said the incident was discovered when workers reported for work around 7 am.
A report was made to the police who attended the scene but the suspects had fled.

Police have appealed to members of the public with information that may lead to the arrest of the culprits.
“We are appealing to members of the public who may know the whereabouts of the suspected burglars to provide that information. I am sure that the long arm of the law will soon catch up with them,” he said.

Insp Zhanero urged owners of religious organisations to ensure their premises were secured.
He said cases of unlawful entry and burglaries were on the increase during the festive season and also advised people to secure their homes, especially when they planned to travel.

“Churches which have valuables should also employ security guards from renowned security companies and even put alarms that are working properly, as a security measure,” Insp Zhanero said.