Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
Six suspected armed robbers who were targeting service stations and church congregants in and around Beitbridge have been arrested.
Tapiwa Trymore Moyo (38), also known as Kudakwashe Mudzingwa, Clatton Dube (36), Philimon Bernard Dambwara (34), Nyasha Muparira (45), Jameson Chikozho (25) and Stanley Shumba (22) were arrested after the police received information that they were on a mission to rob more people in Beitbridge.
Detectives from CID Beitbridge swiftly reacted to the information, leading to their arrest.
They are now facing 14 robbery cases.
In a statement, Criminal Investigations Department spokesperson Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri confirmed the arrest.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police has made a significant breakthrough in investigations into a series of violent armed robberies targeting members of the public and business premises in Beitbridge and surrounding areas. This follows the arrest of six accused persons and recovery of stolen property and weapons used in the commission of the crimes,” she said.
Inspector Mutewere applauded members of the public for their concerted efforts in the fight against crime.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police remains committed to disrupting criminal networks through intelligence-led operations, thorough investigations and effective collaboration with communities,” she said.
Investigations carried out established that between March and September 2026, the suspects embarked on a robbery spree targeting service stations, lodges, private residences, business premises, a medical facility and members of the public in Beitbridge and surrounding areas.
They would use pistols to intimidate their victims before stealing cash, mobile phones, laptops and other valuables.
In one of the incidents that occurred on April 25, 2026, the suspects raided a church at Mashavire, Beitbridge, during a service. They ordered congregants to lie down before robbing three worshippers of cash, mobile phones and a laptop.
In another incident that occurred at a Lodge on May 20, 2026, the suspects broke into the room in which the complainant was booked and robbed him of US$2 710, ZAR18 700 and a cellphone.
Their luck ran out when detectives, acting on the information, tracked them to Mfelandawonye and arrested them.
Subsequent interviews led to the recovery of two Blow P29 air pistols and ammunition. Further investigations linked the suspects to robbery cases in Masvingo, Mwenezi and Gutu.
In one of the cases that occurred in Masvingo, the suspects posed as genuine customers before luring a money changer to a secluded place, where they robbed him of ZAR 55 000 and a cellphone.
They are also linked to other robbery cases in Kuwadzana, Snake Park and White House in Harare, as well as Gweru and Murambinda.
On October 30, one of the robbers, Nyasha Muparira, was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison.
However, Stanley Shumba was found not guilty in a robbery case that occurred on 24 September 2026 in Beitbridge.
But when his accomplices appeared before the Beitbridge Regional Court, they were remanded in custody to 6 November 2026 for trial.
