adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
TWO armed robbers clad in police uniform raided a Masvingo businessman’s homestead in Chivi, tied his family members’ hands and ransacked his house before getting away with $40,000, police have confirmed.
The gun-totting robbers also stole cellphones worth $1,000 from the businessman, Setfree Mapuvire’s family members. Mapuvire is proprietor of Nyaningwe Supermarket.
The daring robbers, kidnapped and then forced one of the family members to drive them to Ngundu Growth Point in his car where they took off the police uniforms, disembarked and ordered their victim to drive back home.
The other family members who were left behind were locked inside the house.
Acting Masvingo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nkululeko Nduna said the incident occurred on Sunday at around 8PM.
He said the suspects are still at large and police have launched a manhunt.
“I confirm receiving a report of a robbery case involving cash worth $40,000 and cellphones valued at about $1,000 at businessman Setfree Mapuvire’s homestead. The suspects are yet to be arrested,” said Asst Insp Nduna.
He said the incident occurred in Mandizvidza Village under Headman Madyangove in Chivi.
Asst Insp Nduna urged businesspeople not to keep large sums of money at home but to instead deposit the money at the bank daily.
“We also urge members of the public not to resist when attacked by armed robbers to avoid putting their lives at risk. Businesspeople are also urged to embrace the culture of banking their takings,” said Asst Insp Nduna.
Sources say on the fateful day, two men masquerading as police officers and in police uniform arrived at Mapuvire’s homestead at around 6 PM while walking on foot.
They allegedly found Fanuel Taurai, 31, near the homestead’s locked gate and asked him to open it. Taurai then asked them to wait while he consulted elders who were in the house if he could allow them to enter.
“Before he could leave, the robbers produced a fire arm and ordered Taurai to open the gate without delay to which he complied. One robber got inside the gate while the other one stood guard at the gate with Taurai,” said the source.
He said at around 7.30 PM two other family members, Sofia, 47, and Wellington Mapuvire, 45, arrived home from Chivi Growth Point in a car and found the gate locked.
The armed robber who had remained at the gate ordered Taurai to open the gate for the two.
Once they were inside, they were ordered to surrender their cellphones before their hands were tied and forced into the house.
“The robbers later ransacked the house and got away with $40,000 cash. The pair left all but Wellington, locked inside. They ordered Wellington to drive them to Ngundu Growth Point, about 20km away from the scene along Masvingo-Beitbridge Road,” said the source.
Upon reaching Ngundu, the two removed the police uniforms, dropped off before ordering Wellington to drive back. He drove back and made a report at Chivi Police station.
Online Reporter