Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
POLICE have issued a stern warning to members of the public to avoid gathering around and interfering with active crime scenes, following a dramatic standoff with suspected robbers at a Bulawayo city club on Sunday morning.
The standoff began in the early hours of Sunday after two suspects reportedly overpowered staff at Crystal Lounge, locking them in a room before ransacking the premises and fleeing with US$4 300.
The high-stakes incident, reminiscent of a scene from an action film, drew the attention of multiple police units and lasted well into the afternoon, attracting dozens of curious onlookers.
While police acknowledged the community’s vigilance, they stressed the importance of maintaining a safe distance during such operations.
“We understand the public’s curiosity and concern. However, gathering around active crime scenes can hinder our operations and put innocent lives at risk,” said national police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
He warned that such situations could escalate quickly, with the potential for gunfire exchanges between police and suspects, posing a serious threat to bystanders.
“The urge to record and share real-time content is understandable, but it comes at a great cost. People can be shot and killed, and they will have only themselves to blame for interfering with ongoing investigations,” Commissioner Nyathi said.
He further cautioned that members of the public who fail to comply with police instructions may face arrest for obstruction. Investigations into the robbery are ongoing.
Commissioner Nyathi also urged employees to avoid discussing company operations with outsiders, as this could make businesses vulnerable to targeted robberies. He advised companies to bank large sums of money promptly, as establishments holding significant cash are prime targets for criminals.
“Preliminary investigations suggest the possibility of an inside job, given the precision with which the robbery was executed. We will leave no stone unturned. Let it be known —there is no turning back in the fight against armed robbery,” he said.
As investigations intensify, police are working to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the harrowing incident.
The drama unfolded after the club’s owner, Mr Phathisani Nkomo, received a distress call from one of his employees — only for the call to abruptly cut off. He immediately alerted the authorities.
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Homicide Unit was first on the scene, armed with assault rifles and pistols, and clad in bulletproof vests. After assessing the situation, they called in the Canine Unit and the Police Special Tactics Team (PSTT).
A section of Robert Mugabe Way, between 9th and 11th Avenues, was cordoned off as police prepared to enter the premises.
The tactical unit executed their operation with precision, breaking the padlock at the club’s entrance before scaling the wall and moving onto the roof to gain a vantage point. From there, they monitored the situation and strategised their next move.
Eventually, the heavily armed officers entered the building and emerged moments later with six hostages, prompting cheers from the crowd gathered across the street. However, the intense standoff ended with an anti-climactic twist: the robbers had already escaped. After hours of tension, the armed units withdrew from the scene.
