The Sunday News
Simba Jemwa, Sunday News Correspondent
ARMED robbers broke into a house at Maphisa Growth Point in Kezi, Matabeleland South Province and got away with cash, a pistol, a car and more than US$78 000 worth of gold.
The robbery was the latest high-profile crime to hit the country, where crime has increased with record armed robbery cases plaguing the country. The armed robbers raided a house belonging to a couple at the growth point.
Police acting spokesperson Chief Superintendent Blessing Chishaka said six men, one wielding an AK-47, another a 9mm Star pistol and another an Okapi knife broke into the unnamed couple’s home and got away with ZAR29 000, US$1 000, 1,150kgs of gold bullion valued at US$78 280, a 9mm pistol and a Toyota vehicle.
The armed robbers also kidnapped the victims’ employee, a 25-year-old man whom they later dumped along with the stolen motor vehicle in Bulawayo and made a clean get away.
In a statement, Chief Sup Chishaka said: “The ZRP is investigating a case of armed robbery that was perpetrated in Maphisa, Kezi in Matabeleland South in which six men attacked a couple in their home.
They managed to get away with ZAR29 000, US$1 000, 1,150kgs of gold bullion valued at USD78 280, a 9mm pistol and a Toyota vehicle. The robbers also kidnapped the couple’s employee whom they dumped along with the car in Bulawayo.”
Investigations are underway and police are appealing to anyone with information to contact any nearest police station.
Cases of armed robberies are on the increase countrywide with criminals targeting miners, cash-in transit vehicles, individuals and businesspeople with large amounts of cash.
Schools and cross-border buses have also become regular targets for the perpetrators of gun-related crimes, resulting in the loss of millions of dollars.
Law enforcement agents have of late scored successes in accounting for armed robbers and this comes after President Mnangagwa recently sounded the death knell to drug kingpins, drug peddlers, and gun-toting robbers by directing police to smoke out and bring such characters to book.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated case, police in Matabeleland South arrested a 25-year-old man on suspicion of a homicide that occurred at Majoda Farm in West Nicholson last Thursday.
The suspect, who was allegedly drunk and misbehaving, struck the victim (45) several times on the head and stomach with two burning logs over an unknown issue resulting in the instant death of the victim.
No further details were available at the time of going to Press. – @RealSimbaJemwa.
