Gweru police nab 17 robbers

Gweru (New Ziana) –Police in Gweru have recovered property worth thousands of dollars after arresting 17 members of three different gangs which allegedly committed a spate of robberies in and around the city.

A manhunt has since been launched a manhunt for accomplices who are currently on the run.

Midlands provincial community relations liaison officer Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the arrest of the robbers, who also allegedly raped some of the victims before robbing them of their property.

“During the commission of the offences, criminals were armed with weapons like firearms, axes, machetes and knobkerries. They would force open locked doors during the night and attack occupants and even rape some women before disappearing with valuable property.”

Insp Mahoko armed robberies were committed between September 2020 and March this year.

Giving a brief account of some of the offences allegedly committed by the gangs, Insp Mahoko said in Xmas gift plots, the family of a 90 year old man was robbed of a firearm, cash and property all valued at USD$2 400.

“In Nkululeko plots, 2 homesteads were broken into where occupants were robbed of electric gadgets, groceries and gold, all valued at USD$9 000,” he said

“At Bethlehem Farm, four Roman catholic sisters were robbed of property valued at USD$5 800 after their residences were broken into. In Claymont suburbs, the criminals had the guts to robe one female headed family on two occasions after forcing entry into the house.”

Police managed to recover two motor vehicles a Honda fit stolen from Southdowns, and a Nissan Murano taken from a man in Mkoba 20, various makes of cellphones, gold detectors, television sets and laptops.

Insp Mahoko commended members of the public for assisting with information which led to the arrest of the 17 suspects.

“Investigations are underway to account for some of the gang members who are still outstanding and have them all tried in the court of law. We expect to make more arrests as efforts to account for outstanding gang members are intensified,” he said.
New Ziana