Online Reporter
Crime Reporter
Six suspected armed robbers, who robbed a shop in Insuza, Matabeleland North, died after they were shot during a shootout with the police at a tollgate along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road early this morning.
The incident occurred between 2 am and 4 am. Following the shootout, the robbers were arrested and taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals where they later died.
Police recovered two pistols with four live rounds, two gas-operated pistols, two knives and an axe.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.
He said the suspects had spent the previous day monitoring and drinking beer in the complainant’s premises, Young Money General’s Dealer Shop in Insuza, Matabeleland North.
They later pounced on the two complainants while armed with pistols, knives and axes. The suspects went on to tie the hands of the complainants with electric cables before covering their faces with blankets.
They demanded gold and cash and ransacked the whole shop and took away a yet to be established amount of cash, groceries, a 48-volt lithium battery, inverter, amplifier, a nine kilogramme gas tank and cellphones.
Comm Nyathi said they loaded the loot into their getaway silver Honda Fit (AEY 4843) and sped off.
One of the victims alerted their employer who quickly reported the matter to the police.
“Their vehicle was spotted heading towards the toll gate,” he said.
Detectives ordered the suspects to stop. Instead, the suspects fired shots towards the police officers, leading to a shoot-out.
“The suspects went on to hit the boom gate at the toll gate. They were arrested and taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals where they all passed on,” Comm Nyathi said.
Some of the stolen property was recovered from the vehicle.
Comm Nyathi said, “The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that there is no going back in the fight against armed robbery syndicates in the country. Any form of confrontation by criminals will be responded to through appropriate measures.”
