The Sunday News
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu Plumtree Correspondent
POLICE have recovered a Toyota Hilux vehicle which was stolen from a Roman Catholic mission in Bulilima District although cash amounting to $11 000 and other valuables have not been recovered.
Three gun-wielding robbers on Saturday last week at around 9pm allegedly struck Charles Lwanga Catholic Mission in Ndolwane area, Bulilima District and tied up a priest, Father Sony Xavier and got away with about $11 000 in cash, a laptop, iPod and a Toyota Hilux.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Inspector Philani Ndebele said the vehicle was recovered on Sunday evening dumped in a bushy area 40 kilometres along the Bulawayo-Solusi Road. He said no arrests had been made but investigations were still in progress.
“I can confirm that we have recovered the Toyota Hilux vehicle which was stolen at a Roman Catholic Church in Bulilima. The cash and the rest of the property which was stolen have not yet been recovered but we are still carrying out investigations.
“The police would like to appeal to anyone with information that could help in the arrest of the culprits to approach any police station close to them or to call Detective Sergeant Ndlovu who is the investigating officer of the matter,” he said.
Insp Ndebele pleaded with members of the public to desist from storing large sums of money in their homes, shops, offices or any other properties.
The priest said the three men hog-tied and gagged him before locking him up in his house and getting away with the property.
He said they force-marched him around his house, which is located within the church premises while holding a cocked pistol to his head. The gunmen, he added, ordered him to disclose the location of the church’s safe and forced him to open it.
Father Xavier said the robbers cut a fence to gain access into his yard and then gained entry into his unlocked house through a kitchen door. He said the three men were wearing woollen hats which were slightly closing their faces.
He said one of them pointed a gun at him while another tied his hands to the back. They ransacked the house in search of valuables.
