Harare (New Ziana) -A 23-year-old man suspected of terrorising Makonde, Hurungwe and Karoi areas in Mashonaland West province for the past seven months, committing at least thirteen robberies, three burglaries and four rape cases has been arrested, the police have confirmed.
In a statement on Wednesday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said Bright Zaranyika, alias Svosve, was arrested on Monday at a bus stop in Chikuti village while waiting for his wife as he prepared to escape to Beitbridge.
Detectives managed to arrest him after members of the public tipped them about his whereabouts.
His arrest led to the clearing of a burglary that occurred November 28 last year in which a 0.22 LR Bryno rifle was stolen in Magunje and another in which US$2 000, a gas tank and various clothing items were stolen on May 11 this year at Magunje Growth Point.
Zaranyika is also linked to a case of rape and robbery which occurred on March 23 this year at a bus stop along the Karoi-Magunje road during which the victim was robbed of US$4 and ZWL500 as well as the robbery of a cellphone, US$480 and 11 grams of gold that occurred just before his arrest on Monday.
Meanwhile, Ass Comm Nyathi said detectives from the Vehicle Theft Squad in Harare on Tuesday arrested Malvern Chimutashu (36), who was on a warrant of arrest for contempt of court and fraud involving US$33 000.
Chimutashu is alleged to have duped a Harare woman of the money after selling her an unregistered Mercedes Benz C200 in 2019 for which he appeared in court and was granted bail in November the same year.
He absconded subsequent court appearances and was issued with a warrant of arrest last February.
Applauding the public for providing vital information to the law enforcement agents on movements of criminals, Ass Comm Nyathi said the police have intensified operations targeting robbery and fraud syndicates throughout the court.
He urged the public to be alert and report all criminal acts to the police timeously to ensure the law takes its course.
New Ziana
