Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube
A BULAWAYO man and his two children were left traumatised after masked gunmen staged a Hollywood-style roadblock before robbing them of US$4 765 and R37 000 in New Highmount on Sunday morning.
The robbery occurred on 6 July at around 7am along a dusty road on the western side of the State House fence in New Highmount.
The complainant was driving his Honda Fit Hybrid towards the city centre with his two children when he found the road blocked by about six huge stones.
Believing the obstruction was accidental, he stopped to remove the rocks from the road.
However, as he got out of the vehicle, two masked men armed with pistols suddenly emerged from nearby bushes.
One of the suspects repeatedly struck the driver’s side window with the butt of his pistol while ordering the occupants to unlock the vehicle.
The armed robbers ordered the complainant and the passengers to get out of the car before forcing them to lie face down on the ground.
They demanded cash, and the complainant directed them to the vehicle’s armrest compartment.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said the suspects stole US$4 500 and R37 000 from the compartment before thoroughly searching the vehicle, including the glove box, other compartments and the boot.
Not satisfied, the robbers searched the complainant and took an additional US$265 from his wallet.
After the robbery, the two suspects reportedly fled in a silver Honda Fit that already had two other occupants waiting inside, before speeding off towards Old Highmount.
Police have launched investigations and are appealing to anyone with information that may assist in identifying or locating the suspects to report to the nearest police Station.
