adminThupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
A 25-year-old taxi driver was thoroughly beaten up by one of his victims following a botched armed robbery near Total Service Station in Beitbridge.
The suspect, Forget Mlambo of Dulibadzimu attempted to rob a South African man who had hired him from the border post on Saturday at around 3AM.
The officer commanding police in Beitbridge District Chief Superintendent Patrick Majuta said the suspect used a rusty pistol loaded with three spent cartridges.
“Investigations so far indicate that Evans Kansalu, 24, arrived in the country from South Africa at around 3AM on Saturday morning,” Chief Supt Majuta said.
“Soon after completing all the immigration and customs formalities he left the border post and hired the suspect who was driving a Toyota Corolla disguised as a taxi. They agreed that Mlambo was to take the victim to Total garage. Kansalu, who was carrying one bag and a computer diagnosing machine, sat on the left side of the back seat.”
Chief Supt Majuta said soon after passing traffic lights near Beitbridge Express Hotel, Mlambo pulled off the vehicle and locked all the doors.
He then drew a pistol and pointed it at Kansalu demanding money.
Kansalu quickly grabbed Mlambo’s hand and they wrestled. “Realising that he was being overpowered, Mlambo unlocked the driver’s door and went out. He then tried to shoot the man but unfortunately the firearm had spent cartridges. Kansalu then followed him outside and thoroughly beat him up disarming him in the process,” he said.
Chief Supt Majuta said the man tried to remove the car keys from the ignition but failed resulting in Mlambo speeding off with his bag leaving behind his torn T-Shirt.
He said Kansalu then hired another taxi and reported the matter to the police leading to Mlambo’s arrest hours later. “We also recovered the vehicles which had been hidden at another house in Dulibadzimu,” said Chief Supt Majuta.
Mlambo is expected to appear in court today on armed robbery charges.
Online Reporter