Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Weekender Reporter
A MUTARE man was last week ambushed by armed robbers while dropping off a passenger, losing his Toyota Fortuner GD6 and US$6 200 in cash.
The vehicle was later recovered abandoned near Christmas Pass.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the incident, identifying the complainant as Mukungu Matataya (38) of ZIMTA, Mutare.
According to the police, on February 18 at around 9pm, Matataya was driving from Harare towards Mutare along Grange Road in a charcoal grey Toyota Fortuner GD6.
He had offered transport to a female passenger.
After stopping to drop her off and offload her luggage, a grey Ford Ranger (Registration Number AHI1761) pulled up behind his vehicle.
Six masked men wearing balaclavas disembarked and confronted Matataya and the passenger.
One suspect pointed a firearm, while others dragged the victims into nearby grass. They tied their legs with shoelaces and blindfolded them with cloths.
Matataya was struck with a metal bar as the robbers demanded money.
The gang stole US$6 200 in cash, a Samsung Ultra and a Nokia cellphone from Matataya.
The female passenger was also searched, though the complainant could not confirm what was taken from her.
The robbers then fled in Matataya’s vehicle, heading towards Old Mutare Mission.
The victims were later freed by a passerby. The woman went her way, while Matataya was assisted by a well-wisher who helped him report the robbery at ZRP Penhalonga.
“One of the accused persons pointed a suspect firearm, dragged Matataya and the woman into the grass.
“They were tied with shoelaces on the legs and blinded folded with cloths. One of the accused hit Matataya with a metal bar, demanding money.
“Another suspect searched him, and took cash US$6 200, a Samsung Ultra and Nokia cellphones. The woman was also searched, but Matataya does not know what was taken from her.
“Accused persons got into Matataya’s vehicle and drove towards Old Mutare Mission.
“The complainant and the woman were later untied by an unknown passerby.
“The woman went her way and Matataya was given transport by a well-wisher and reported the robbery at ZRP Penhalonga,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
Investigations revealed that the Ford Ranger used by the robbers had itself been stolen in Odzi.
Police later recovered Matataya’s vehicle abandoned near the Forestry Commission offices at Penhalonga Turn-off, close to Christmas Pass.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka stated that the total value of property stolen was US$52 200, of which US$46 000 was recovered.
Police are appealing to the public for information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects.
“Anyone with information should report to their nearest police station,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
