Robbers attack council offices

Luthando Mapepa
A GANG of unknown robbers pounced at Chipinge Town Council offices and blew off two money safes using explosives, but failed to steal any money, save for a laptop. Police confirmed the robbery and said a manhunt for the suspects had been launched. Chipinge District police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Blessing Kadzuraumera, said: “I can confirm that police received a Chipinge Town Council robbery report that was made at around 3pm on January 26.The scene was attended by both Chipinge CID and Chipinge Urban police officers. It was discovered that unknown accused persons had used explosives to blast open the strong room door as well as the Chubb safe door.

“We contacted the CID forensic science laboratory in Harare who attended the scene on January 27. Principal forensic scientist, Shepered Gozho and Siyangiso Maziti attended the scene and discovered that the unknown accused persons had used Mega mite gel type and fuse to blast open the strong room door as well as Chubb safe.

“The mega mite gel was recovered stashed in the key holes of the other Chubb safe together, while the green cord was used as a fuse.

“The recovered exhibits were sent to forensic science laboratory in Harare for analysis. It was then discovered that an HP laptop with unknown serial numbers valued at $300 was stolen. Investigations are still in progress and we urging institutions to bank every cent collected,” said Asst Insp Kadzuraumera.

The incident came barely two weeks after unknown robbers struck at Chibuwe High School in the same district and used the same modus operandi to blow a safe.

One of the security guards who was on duty during that night, Mr Biggie Sithole, said he was on duty at the Swimming Pool Complex when he spotted a man wearing a long sleeved red shirt with white strips and a blue jean carrying a satchel walking towards the council offices at around 1am.

“The man was also holding an identified weapon. I became suspicious and I alerted my two colleagues. We searched for the man, but could not locate him. We saw a light in one of the offices. Our colleague raised alarm. Suddenly we heard a loud explosion from the offices. My two colleagues rushed to the office where the explosion was coming from.

“The unidentified man took to his heels towards the low-density area. A vehicle sped off towards the direction where the man had ran to and they drove off,” said Mr Sithole.