Online Reporter
THERE is a lesson here, and it is written in bold ink: Crime does not pay.
In fact, in Warren Park 1, Harare, it got four men a one-way ticket to the morgue, while two others got a pair of bracelets they will not be taking off anytime soon.
On March 30, Mike Manyima (37), Office Chanakira (38) and two gentlemen only identified as Atenzi and Chris decided to roll into Warren Park 1 Shopping Centre. Their mission? Another robbery. Their timing? Terrible.
Their marksmanship? Even worse.
A string of armed robberies across Harare in February and March had kept police alert and busy. Earlier that day, detectives from CID Homicide Harare had arrested one Nelson Chitima (28) at his home in Glen View 7 Extension.
Nelson, presumably realising that loyalty among thieves is a myth, promptly implicated his mates: Edson Guvira (38), Mike, Office, Atenzi and Chris.
He also led cops to a Nissan NV350 getaway car — registration number AGO 3840 — which contained a white balaclava, two pairs of gloves and an assortment of liquor. Then came the sting.
Nelson helped lure Edson Guvira to Mhishi Shopping Centre. The moment Edson spotted detectives, he did what any sensible criminal would do: He fled. Warning shots? Ignored. However, a bullet to the leg got his attention.
Arrest number two, done and dusted.
Detectives headed to Warren Park 1 Shopping Centre, where they spotted Mike, Office, Atenzi and Chris arriving in a Toyota Passo, clearly warming up for another heist.
Police identified themselves and ordered the four to surrender. Now, any rational person would raise their hands and live to see another court date. But these chaps thought differently.
They fired shots at the officers. This did not work out quite well for the six robbers.
Four were hit and rushed to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, where doctors pronounced them dead on arrival. Only two survived.
Then came the inventory.
Inside the Toyota Passo were a .70 Vozol pistol with a magazine with three rounds, a .38 Rossi revolver loaded with one round, a Supercat 1911 pellet gun (yes, a pellet gun — because nothing intimidates like sporting goods), 35 live 9mm rounds, eight emulates, four fuses, one paper spray, another balaclava, four cellphones and two national identity cards.
Police also recovered three other vehicles: a black Toyota Hiace (AHI 3060), the purple Toyota Passo (AGS 0558) and a red Honda Fit (AGG 2485). That is more wheels than sense.
So, here is the takeaway: If you are thinking of a life of crime, maybe reconsider the decision.
The returns are terrible. The career advancement is abysmal. And the retirement plan? A trip to hell.
