Moffat Mungazi
Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
SEVEN armed robbers believed to be part of a gang of dangerous criminals that orchestrated a spat of armed robberies in Dangamvura and Weirmouth suburbs were arrested this week.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, said the suspects were arrested, and were set to appear in court facing more than 20 counts of unlawful entry and robbery.
Police on Wednesday released the names of the suspects – Blessing Dhonza, Tatenda Matiya, Tobias Tomboka, Percy Nechironga, Tatenda Ganda, Leeroy Mandisodza, Casper Makombe and Leon Maindira all from Dangamvura- saying they are assisting police with investigations.
The suspects this week led police detectives for indications at various houses they pounced on in various suburbs of Mutare.
Pictures of the deadly armed robbers have been circulating on the social media, with some victims managing to identify some of them, before proceeding to Mutare Central Police Station where they were detained.
They executed most of the robberies with machetes.
They targeted households, looting household property as well as groceries in tuck-shops.
They also targeted cellphones at a shopping centre in Penhalonga, popularly known as PaDonny.
“Seven suspects who were committing a spate of unlawful entries into premises were arrested this week, and are in police custody. They were operating in Dangamvura and Weirmouth suburbs.
“They would target household property, mattresses, decoders, gas stoves and electrical gadgets. They would also pounce on tuck-shops, stealing groceries. They also frequented PaDonny in Penhalonga, stealing cellphones as well as other gadgets. They were arrested in Chikanga recently after a tip-off,” he said.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said they are working flat out to arrest armed robbers who have been terrorising households, especially in the high-density areas.
He added: “We are glad that some of these rogue elements were apprehended. We are calling upon people who lost their valuables to visit Mutare Central Police Station to positively identify their stolen goods.
“We will leave no stone unturned to bring perpetrators to book. We would like to thank communities for playing a critical role in assisting us, through various other means, such as tipping us off, to combat crimes such as these,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
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