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Senior Reporter
AT least three commuters are robbed daily in Harare after being offered lifts by robbers posing as taxi operators, police have said. Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tadius Chibanda yesterday said the robbers were targeting stranded commuters, rob them, strip them and dump them naked.
“Yesterday (Tuesday) alone we recorded three cases and this has been the trend. We want to warn the public to be on the lookout as the robbers continue to be on the prowl,” said Insp Chibanda.
He said the robbers were using cars such as Honda Fit, Toyota Vits, Toyota Gaia, Toyota Raum and Toyota Altezza.
“We are appealing to the public to use designated pick-up points and use bonafide public transport vehicles,” he said.
In the first case, Insp Chibanda said it occurred on Tuesday around 10pm in the Avenues area after the victim going to Marlborough was offered a lift by four males in their Honda Fit at Herbert Chitepo and Sam Nujoma Street.
“When he got into the car, the car drove towards Borrowdale Road and one of the occupants produced a knife while the other produced what appeared to be a gun and threatened to kill the victim,” Insp Chibanda said.
He said the man was robbed of US$75 before they drove to Marlborough where they undressed him and dumped him. Two other men were also robbed in a similar fashion and lost U$200 and laptops and mobile phones. One of the men was offered a lift along Princess Road while the second one who was on his way to Harare from Mverechena was robbed when they got to Glenforest Road.
Both men were stripped naked.
Online Reporter