Sharon Chigeza

MUTARE – In a brazen daylight robbery, three men posing as Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) traffic officers stole US$3,285 from an Indian national in the Nerutanga area of Buhera.

The incident occurred on the Chivhu-Nyazura road when Mattaparthi Srinivasa Rso (30), a director at Kitoko Brand Company based in Harare, and his companion Shorai Nyakufa (42) were targeted by the gang.

Manicaland Acting Police Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident, noting that the same gang used the same tactics to rob two employees of Panmart Bakery ofUS$1,115 on the same day.

According to Chinyoka, the robbers set up an illegal roadblock at the 122km peg along the Chivhu-Nyazura road. Rso and Nyakufa, who were driving towards Chivhu, were stopped by the armed gang, who wore traffic sleeves to impersonate police officers. One robber brandished a machete and demanded to see what Nyakufa was carrying in the loading box of their vehicle.

“Nyakufa, sensing something was amiss, refused to open the box, leading to a violent confrontation. In response, one of the robbers began assaulting Nyakufa with fists and subsequently tied his hands with ropes, forcing him into the loading box. Meanwhile, Rso was distracted as another robber demanded to see his identity documents,” said Ass Insp Chinyoka.

While the robbers ransacked the vehicle, they made off with a significant amount of cash, vehicle keys, a 20,000-watt power bank, a brown satchel, and ear pods, leaving Nyakufa and Rso locked in the loading box. Fortunately, their cries for help were heard by a passerby, who intervened and helped them escape their predicament.

The two men promptly reported the robbery at the Buhera Police Station. However, despite their efforts to alert law enforcement, no items have been recovered, and the robbers remain at large.

New Ziana