Sundaymail Editor
Online Reporter
TWO Real Star Security guards who foiled an armed robbery attempt at a service station in Harare’s Mabvuku suburb early Thursday morning have been recognised for their outstanding bravery.
Bhekimpilo Sibanda and Isaac Nhamo received grocery hampers and US$2 000 cash at a function hosted by their employer in the capital on Friday.
The pair was stationed at Petrotrade Service Station on the southern outskirts of the high density suburb where they were confronted by eight armed robbers whom they fended off, despite being outnumbered and outgunned.
In an incident report presented at the ceremony, Real Star Security assistant operations manager Mr Oskah Mugomeri said Sibanda, the sole gunner, was armed with a .303 rifle, while Nhamo was the rover.
Mr Mugomeri said the suspects entered the fuel station’s premises after cutting a section of the perimeter diamond mesh wire on the southern side.
Sibanda confronted the suspects and fired one shot in their direction, wounding one of them.
As Nhamo contacted head office for back-up, the suspects fired several shots back as they retreated towards Mutare Road.
It is believed they were armed with revolvers as no spent cartridges were recovered at the scene.
Detectives from Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Homicide and a reaction team from Real Star Security combed the surrounding area, but could not locate any of the suspects.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza confirmed the incident, saying Investigations were underway.
Mr Mugomeri commended Sibanda and Nhamo for their bravery which he said had averted potentially huge losses.
“We would like to commend our security personnel Bhekimpilo Sibanda and Isaac Nhamo for their vigilance, dedication to duty and quick action during this incident.
“Their alertness and bravery played a crucial role in preventing a more serious situation,” he said.
The incident came after four suspects were arrested over a US$127 000 heist at Meru Service Station in Kuwadzana.
Service stations have become targets of armed robbers as they are known to sell fuel exclusively in hard currency.
Bongani Ndlovu