Harare, (New Ziana) — In a major breakthrough against violent crime, police have arrested several suspects in connection with a string of armed robberies, motor vehicle thefts, and fraud committed across four major cities between July 2023 and July 2025, a senior police officer has said.
The arrests, made between 24 and 26 July 2025 in Harare, Gweru, Bulawayo and Mutare, followed a series of coordinated operations led by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), which resulted in significant recoveries of stolen property, firearms and ammunition.
National police spokesman, Commissioner Paul Nyathi said a joint CID Homicide team acted on a tip-off and arrested three suspects on 25 July in connection with a spate of armed robberies in Bulawayo, Gweru, and Harare.
The suspects are Mtandazo Ndlovu (40), Amard Ncube alias Jah (43), and Solomon Ngwenya (36). The operation, said Commissioner Nyathi, led to the recovery of a Vizor pistol with a magazine containing three live rounds, 50 rounds of 0.38mm ammunition, 15 additional rounds for the Vizor pistol, US$3,100 in cash, and two 48-volt lithium batteries.
He said the trio is linked to at least seven armed robbery cases, chief among them the high-profile heist in Harare’s Central Business District on 16 June 2025, where suspects made off with US$500,000 in cash.
The gang is also believed to be behind the 21 July 2025 armed robbery at a service station along Khami Road in Bulawayo, where they allegedly stole US$31,265, ZAR 3,720 and a Toyota Runx (registration number AFD 9160).
Another robbery they are linked to occurred in Magwegwe, Bulawayo, on 29 April 2025, involving the theft of ZAR 83,000 and a mobile phone. In a separate incident in Harare, four more suspects, Fortune Banda (34), Promise Tshuma (30), Vincent Tembedza alias Dollar (27), and Queensley Ncube (25) were arrested on 26 July 2025 while allegedly plotting an armed robbery at a gold mine in Beatrice where they reportedly intended to steal gold carbons, said Commissioner Nyathi.
Police recovered a 9mm Deryia pistol with two magazines, one loaded with four rounds and the other with 15 rounds. Meanwhile, in Mutare, Commissioner Nyathi said police arrested Marshal Munashe Munyuru (38) on 24 July 2025 for theft of three motor vehicles reported stolen in South Africa.
His arrest led to the recovery of a Toyota Fortuner (registration number AFY 3564), a Mercedes Benz, and a Ford Ranger Raptor with investigations confirming that the Fortuner was stolen on 11 July 2023, the Ranger Raptor on 15 November 2023, and the Mercedes Benz on 11 October 2024, said Commissioner Nyathi.
Police praised members of the public for providing vital information that led to the arrests and appealed for continued cooperation, encouraging citizens to report criminal activities through the Police hotline at (0242) 703631 or via WhatsApp at 0712 800 187.
“These arrests are a direct result of public vigilance and police responsiveness. We remain committed to ensuring safety and order across all provinces,” he said. Commissioner Nyathi said further investigations are ongoing, and the suspects are expected to appear in court soon to answer to a range of serious charges.
New Ziana
