adminSamuel Kadungure Senior Reporter
RUSAPE police have tracked down an armed and dangerous gang – arresting three suspects – while the other three believed to be its ringleaders declared fugitives from justice and allegedly responsible for brazen armed robberies which had hit and transformed the district into a terror zone.
A CID Rusape official, Detective Assistant Inspector Gift Mutigwa on Wednesday, said they busted the notorious cheeky armed robbery gang and arrested three of its members as they tried to dispose of some of the electronic gadgets they had allegedly stolen from Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyatwa’s farm, a few kilometres on the outskirts of Rusape along Nyanga Road.
The gang had earlier on pounced at Tiny Farm in Nyazura and escaped with $6 000 and two rifles – which they are using to commit the offences.
Tiny Farm belongs to Zanu-PF provincial executive member Cde Joseph Mujati.
At Dr Parirenyatwa’s farm, the suspects stole a Plasma, home theatre and speakers.
Det Asst Insp Mutigwa identified the arrested suspects as Obert Matambo, Innocent Chipinduka and Bright Mazambani.
The three stayed in the UVE Section of Rusape.
He said they were trying to snif for fugitives and gang ring leaders, Caleb Mutoriti and Tatenda Matambo. The third suspect’s name had not been revealed at the time of going to Press, but was described as a “huge framed and giant”.
“The gang is armed and dangerous. They are armed with two rifles and knives. The rifles they are using were stolen from Tiny Farm in Nyazura which belongs to Cde Joseph Mujati. Apart from the guns, they escaped with $6 000, which was in the house. One of the suspects, Tatenda Matambo, was once employed at the farm and led the attack.
“We have arrested three of them, but the most dangerous ones are still at large. They attacked rural businesses and a school and on two separate occasions, they fired shots in the air to instil fear in the hearts of their targets and cow them into submission,” said Det Insp Mutigwa.
He said they attacked Chiendambuya Business Centre and fired two gun shots in the air at Musime General Dealer.
“They faced resistance and fired shots in the air and escaped with $500, spirits, various lagers and an assortment of groceries from Musime General Dealer at the heart of Chiendambuya Business Centre,” he said.
From Chiendambuya, the armed robbers travelled more than 100 kilometres during the night to Muziti Secondary School where they held the school head hostage, during which they demanded food before executing their mission.
The armed robbers allegedly ransacked the head’s house and confiscated $36 before force-marching her to the school’s admin office where they made her to open the safe and stole $140.
They then proceeded to the nearby Muziti Primary School, where they approached the school head and escaped with $30.
The gang is suspected to have been using Chapinduka’s Toyota to commit the offences and ferry the loot.
The gang also raided a bottle store at Chiware Business Centre where they escaped with $500, an assortment of groceries, a DVD player, home theatre, airtime worth $100 and some lagers.
They fired two shots in the air again at Buffalo Shop in Kanoyangwa Village in Nyazura.
“They used the same modus operandi at Buffalo Shop where they fired shots in the air to instil fear in their targets and escaped with $150, an assortment of groceries, lagers and two cell phones seized from patrons caught in the cross-fire,” said Det Asst Insp Mtigwa.
He said the same gang pounced at Patsime Bottle and stole $230, spirits and lagers.
“These fugitives are well known people in Rusape and we are appealing for information leading to their arrest. Members of the public or victims are advised to call or text CID Rusape on 0715300707, 0773014690 or 0772293959,” said Det Asst Insp Mutigwa.
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