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Beitbridge Bureau
POLICE in Beitbridge have arrested a man (21) who is alleged to be part of an armed robbery gang that has been terrorising illegal migrants and smugglers at an illegal crossing point along the Limpopo River.
Spacious Sibanda, of Mutshongovile Suburb, Musina in South Africa, was busted after hitting five complainants while in the company of his accomplices identified only as Tafadzwa, Makavela and Pastor.
The trio is still at large and is believed to be hiding in South Africa.
Police officer commanding Beitbridge District, Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo, said Sibanda was arrested on Wednesday last week and was facing three counts of armed robbery.
He is expected to appear in court soon and the police have recovered one pistol and a pellet pistol from him.
“Preliminary investigations reveal that our team patrolling an area near Malindi Transit Shed received a tip-off that Sibanda and his gang were robbing people in the bushy area between Alfred BeitBridge and the Malindi Transit Shed,” said Chief Supt Nyongo.
He said the security team reacted swiftly and found the accused persons about to share the stolen loot.
“They were positively identified by the complainants by their dressing and appearance. A chase was made and the team managed to arrest Sibanda,” said Chief Supt Nyongo.
“The suspect was found in possession of a Blow P29 9mm PAK black pistol, which was in the right pocket of his blue jeans trousers.
“Three other gang members fled towards South Africa and along the way they dropped a pellet pistol at the scene of crime”.
He said all the complainants were robbed at different intervals and the suspects stole a total of R4 350, 50 by 200mls King whisky, six by1,2 litres Super Chibuku and nothing was recovered. Sibanda, he said, was now assisting police with investigations.
Chief Supt Nyongo said, so far, Sibanda had indicated that the team was working in cahoots with a Beitbridge-based taxi driver who surveys unsuspecting targets and households.
“The taxi driver then supplies the information to the suspects for reaction and would carry them from Limpopo River to the targeted places. After hitting, the suspects would reward the taxi driver for his services,” he said.
“We have also established that most of the stolen property is being kept at a safe house in Mutshongovile Suburb in Messina where Sibanda stays. Further investigations are underway.”
The incident came a few months after two men were each jailed for 10 years after they were arrested for unleashing a reign of terror on smugglers and illegal migrants some 1km east of the official border post. -@tupeyo
Online Reporter