Online Reporter
By Chronicle Reporter
BULAWAYO had a wave of armed robberies after at least five incidents were recorded within days, with four of the attacks occurring in the early hours of the same night in Luveve and Old Luveve suburbs.
Bulawayo Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, confirmed the incidents and said police were investigating the cases, which involved heavily armed suspects who targeted both businesses and private homes.
“The police are investigating five armed robbery cases which occurred in Bulawayo on different occasions, with a disturbing pattern of violence and the use of dangerous weapons,” said Insp Msebele.
The first incident occurred on December 17 at around 7pm at Hillside Shopping Centre. Two security guards, aged 37 and 60, who were on cash-in-transit duty, came under attack shortly after parking their vehicle.
“They were approached by four male suspects, one armed with a pistol and a log, all wearing face masks. The suspects fired shots at the complainant’s vehicle, prompting him to fire back,” said Insp Msebele.
The suspects fled the scene in their getaway car after the exchange of gunfire. No injuries were reported.
However, matters took a more alarming turn on December 20, when a series of armed robberies were carried out within a space of just one hour in Old Luveve and Luveve 5, raising fears of a coordinated crime spree.
At around 2am, three armed men wearing balaclavas forced their way into a house in Old Luveve, armed with a machete, iron rods and a suspected pistol. They confronted a 42-year-old man, his wife and child, demanding cash.
“The complainant surrendered US$24, after which the suspects ransacked the house and stole two cellphones valued at US$420,” said Insp Msebele.
Barely 15 minutes later, another household in the same suburb was attacked. A 47-year-old man was threatened with death as the suspects forced open his door and demanded money, making off with US$420 and R500.
The attacks continued at around 2.45am, when a 21-year-old man was robbed of US$200 cash belonging to his mother, before the suspects struck again at about 3am in Luveve 5.
In the final incident, a 50-year-old man was threatened at gunpoint and robbed of large sums of cash amounting to over US$10 000, which had been kept in a wallet, jacket and wardrobe.
Insp Msebele said the nature of the crimes was worrying, particularly the clustering of the robberies within a short timeframe.
“The use of pistols, machetes and iron rods, and the fact that several houses were targeted on the same night, shows the seriousness of these offences,” she said.
Police have urged residents to remain vigilant and strengthen home security.
“We urge members of the public to tighten their home security by securing doors and windows with strong locks and installing burglar bars. Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects should report at the nearest police station,” said Insp Msebele.
No arrests had been made at the time of issuing the statement.
