Online Reporter
Crime Reporter
Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a police officer in Bulawayo’s Tshabalala suburb last Thursday night.
The suspects, who are also linked to a string of armed robberies, were apprehended following police investigations.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests saying the firearm used in the murder has been recovered.
“Reference is made to the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s press statement released on March 28 regarding the shooting of a police officer, Sergeant Abel Masava, in Sizinda, Bulawayo at 1230 am,” he said.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Mandlenkosi Albert Munangati (26), Clifford Desmond Nare (33) and Thabo Dube (24) in connection with the murder case.
“The firearm used to kill the police officer has been recovered from the robbers.
“The suspects are also linked to a spate of armed robbery cases that occurred in Bulawayo between April 22, 2024, and March 28, 2025.”
On March 30, detectives received information linking a Honda Fit, registration number AGG 8380, to both the murder and a spate of armed robberies in Bulawayo.
The police tracked the vehicle, leading to the arrest of Munangati, who then implicated his accomplices, resulting in their arrest and the recovery of multiple weapons.
The recovered weapons include a National Browning pistol, a Blow F92 blank pellet gun, a Long Rifle 12GA 76/3-inch long; a Vizor pistol, a shotgun and a sword.
During the operation, two other suspects, Sipho Ncube (24) and Dumisani Ndlovu (32), attempted to escape and engaged in a shoot-out with detectives along Harrow Street in Saucetown, Bulawayo.
The two were critically injured and later died upon admission at United Bulawayo Hospitals.
The suspects are connected to at least 25 armed robbery cases, including a December 28, 2024, supermarket robbery in New Luveve, where cash and three cellphones were stolen; and a February 10, 2025 heist at a funeral parlour in Kelvin North, Bulawayo, where US$3 608, ZAR21 130 and a cellphone were stolen.
They have also been linked to a March 2, 2025, robbery at a service station at the corner of Nketa Drive and Rangemore Road, where a shotgun and a cellphone were stolen.
Police investigations have revealed that the gang primarily targeted service stations, liquor outlets, supermarkets, funeral parlours and gas suppliers.
Peter Tanyanyiwa