Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
A 36-year-old man from Magwegwe suburb in Bulawayo has been arrested by police in connection with a spate of armed robberies committed in the city during March this year.
Bulawayo province police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the arrest of Nhlanhla Ncube in connection with the crimes.
She said Ncube and three other suspects who are still at large, Learmore Sibanda (23), Farai Sibanda (40), both from Cowdray Park suburb, and a third suspect identified as Prosper are suspected to have been committing armed robbery cases around Bulawayo.
“On the 2 March 2025 at around 2250 hours, the accused person and his accomplices arrived at a certain Sports Bar in Tshabalala, Bulawayo armed with pistols and a knife. They found the complainant a male adult aged 21 of Old Magwegwe, preparing to close the bar. They ordered everyone to lie down and went behind the counter demanding cash. They took cash amounting to US$1 000 a Techno, and a Huawei cellphone,” said Insp Msebele.
She said, while making their escape their way out the Ncube and his accomplices stole a consignment of alcohol of a value of US$1 130.
“The accused persons proceeded to another Tarven in Nketa 7 armed with pistols and knives and ordered everyone down. They jumped over the counter and captured the cashier a female adult aged 27 years demanding cash and keys to the safe. The accused force-marched complainant to open the safe but she had no keys. They then ransacked the whole place and found the keys to the strong room. They opened the strong room where they stole all the cash amounting to US-$190,” said Insp Msebele.
She said all the patrons there were ordered to surrender their cellphones and cash.
“The total value stolen is US$981 and nothing was recovered,” said Insp Ncube.
She said Ncube and his alleged accomplices on March 16 and at around 7PM went on to rob a general dealer in Old Pumula shops.
“…upon entering the shop one accused pointed the firearm at the shop assistant a male adult aged 28 years of Emthunzini suburb and demanded cash. They took all the cash that was in the till and went away. Total value stolen is USD 190 and nothing was recovered,” Insp Msebele said.
She said, responding to a tip-off police proceeded to a certain house in Pumula and managed to arrest him.
“Upon interviews, the accused person admitted to having committed these robberies with his accomplices. Searches were conducted at his place of residence and the following items were recovered; a tablet, machetes, sword knife, worksuits, a black AK-SA ARMS A21 blank gun a Pick head, and two small axes. The total value of all the stolen property is US$ 2301 and nothing was recovered.
Insp Msebele applauded the cooperation from the public in mitigating crime.
“We appreciate the members of the public for providing information that led to the arrest of the accused person we also appeal to anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the outstanding accused persons to come forward,” she said
