Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]
A 25-year-old private security guard reportedly lost his service firearm while on duty at a filling station along Khami Road in Bulawayo, triggering a full-scale police investigation.
Sources close to the matter said the guard is also being treated as a suspect as investigations continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the weapon.
“The guy was interviewed by ZRP detectives, who were also clearly worried how a security guard can lose a firearm. They are also suspicions that he may have been under the influence of alcohol although that has not been formally verified,” said a source privy to the developments.
Confirming the incident, Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, said police received a report of theft of a firearm at a local filling station along Khami Road.
“Police confirm receiving a case of theft of a firearm that occurred at a local filling station along Khami Road, Bulawayo,” she said.
Insp Msebele said the incident occurred on February 10, 2026 at around 2:51am when the security guard, a resident of Nketa 9, was on duty when he allegedly placed his service firearm inside a parked vehicle at the premises before going to the toilet.
“On his way back from the toilet, he saw an unknown suspect inside the vehicle. He approached him but the suspect fled, resulting in the guard giving chase but failed to apprehend him. Upon checking the vehicle, he discovered that his firearm had been stolen,” said Insp Msebele.
A police report was subsequently filed and investigations are underway to recover the weapon.
Police have appealed to members of the public who may have information leading to the arrest of the suspect, to report to the nearest police station.
“We warn members of the public who use firearms at their workplaces, never to leave them unattended. At home, firearms must be properly secured in a gun cabinet,” she said.
In 2018, a Gwanda based security guard was fined $100 for losing his firearm during a drinking spree while on duty.
Francis Ncube (43), who was employed by a local security company was convicted on his own plea of guilty to failing to secure a fire arm and ammunition by magistrate, Miss Nomagugu Ncube.
Ncube is said to have left his post and went to drink beer with his friends at a local bar having been earlier given the pistol upon duty assumption by his colleague. The gun had eight live rounds.
Ncube left his point of guard and went to drink beer with his friends. He took a satchel with him and placed the pistol inside and left it unattended in the bar.
Colletta Dube