Online Reporter
Leot Mafukashe and Simbarashe Chitsiku
TWO men were violently attacked and robbed in the early hours of Monday morning after picking up four unknown individuals along the Harare-Mutare Highway.
Acting Manicaland police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident and identified the victims as Calvin Kapembere (35) and Marshall Mureyani (34).
The two were driving a Toyota Quantum when they offered a lift to the four men at Nyazura around 3am.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said the situation turned violent near the Magamba Vocational Training Centre bus stop, when Mureyani had briefly stopped the vehicle to attend to a call of nature.
The four passengers suddenly falsely accused the pair of intending to rob them, sparking a heated altercation. One of the suspects struck Mureyani on the head with an empty beer bottle, before fleeing into nearby bushes.
The other suspects then attacked Kapembere, stealing US$570 in cash from his wallet.
The assailants then seized the steering wheel, driving towards Mutare before abandoning the vehicle at the Penhalonga turn-off.
Kapembere and Mureyani reported the incident to police, and Mureyani received treatment for his injuries at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka appealed for information on the suspects, who remain at large.
“We are appealing to anyone with information that may assist in the identification and arrest of the suspects to come forward. We also urge motorists to exercise extreme caution when offering lifts to strangers, especially during odd hours,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
