Harare, (New Ziana) – Two suspected robbers believed to have been part of a five-member gang that travelled from neighbouring South Africa with the intention of committing robberies and kidnappings for ransom were shot dead by the police in Arcadia, Harare, on Thursday, police have said.
National police spokesperson, assistant commissioner, Paul Nyathi identified the alleged robbers as 45-year-old Jabulani Ngobeni and Godknows Machingura (44), and died in two separate shootings in Arcadia.
Three other suspected robbers, Ndlafhi Makado (39), Andrew Masubelele (38) and Emmanuel Makomo (22), were injured in the shootings.
All the five suspects are said to have travelled from South Africa with the intention of committing armed robberies and kidnappings.
“On 19th December 2023, detectives from CID Homicide, Harare, received information that the suspects were booked at a guest house along Mauritius road, Arcadia, Harare,” said Nyathi. “The detectives raided the guest house resulting in the suspects bolting out of the house.
Jabulani Ngobeni fired shots towards the detectives and a shoot (out) ensued, resulting in Jabulani Ngobeni being shot on the hip.
Subsequently, Jabulani Ngobeni, Ndiafhi Makhado, Andrew Masubelele, Paul Zhou and Emmanuel Makamo were arrested. The arrest led to the recovery of a 9mm Star Pistol loaded with four rounds of ammunition.”
Nyathi said Ngobeni, Masubelele, Zhou, Makamo and Makhado were injured during the skirmishes and referred to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals for treatment, but Ngobeni died upon admission.
He said Zhou confessed that he had booked the accommodation and hired two vehicles – a Toyota Fortuner and a Honda Fit – after being paid $400 by Machingura.
The suspects revealed to the detectives that they had hatched a plan to commit a robbery along Birmingham Road, Kwekwe, and Machingura was also monitoring the movements of their target in Shamva from where he was lured to Morgan High School in Arcadia, Harare where he was arrested after being shot on the groin after a high speed chase and shoot out.
Machingura later died at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals on admission.
Nyathi said any form of confrontation with the police or armed clash with the law enforcement agents will be met with the appropriate response.
“The police is concerned with the involvement of foreign national(s) in conspiring to commit armed robbery cases in the country. Police detectives have also gathered information to the effect that the arrested criminals wanted to kidnap some prominent people in the country for ransom. In this regard the public is implored to be alert and safety conscious during the holidays,” he said.
Meanwhile, police have applauded the public for helping with information that has helped law enforcement agents to account for criminals, and urged them to continue to assist in the fight against crime in the country.
New Ziana
