Midlands police arrest seven wanted criminals

Gweru (New Ziana) -Police in the Midlands province recently arrested seven criminals who were on its wanted list for various crimes committed in the Lower Gweru area.

The police were looking for Taskforce Mpofu (33), Godknows Mpofu (32), Lungisani Mpofu (32) and Charton Ndlovu all of Bennet village under Chief Bunina over an incident that occurred on April 6 this year at around 5:30 PM when they stumbled on three other wanted criminals.

The other three included Charlton Msopero (34), Pumulani Majona (23) and Andrew Moyo (30) who were wanted for various crimes.

Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said the first four suspects went to a homestead at Village in Madhinga under Chief Bunina in Lower Gweru armed with two knives, a log and bricks where they found the owner seated outside with his relatives.

“They robbed him of US$300, 700 Rand, two cellphones and a sports bike while threatening them,” he said.

A report was made at ZRP Maboleni and police launched a manhunt.

“At about 11 PM, the police raided a homestead in Bennet village where the four were arrested. Searches were conducted leading to the recovery of dangerous weapons comprising of four spears, an axe, a pair of catapults, two knives and a stabbing spear all used during the robbery,” he said.

Insp Mahoko said investigations had revealed that Taskforce Mpofu was wanted by Gweru Rural Police Station for two robbery cases and of assault, while Godknows Mpofu was wanted by Maboleni Police Station for robbery and assault.

Two of the other three wanted criminals arrested during the reaction to the robbery case, Msopero and Majona, were wanted by Maboleni Police for rape and assault cases respectively, while the third, Bennet, was wanted by Gweu Rural for a case of murder.

New Ziana