Bulawayo, (New Ziana)-Six suspected robbers were killed on Monday following a shootout with police along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, an official has confirmed.
National police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said the suspects were arrested after the shootout but later died while receiving treatment at the United Bulawayo Hospital (UBH).
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms a shoot-out incident with six armed robbery suspects at the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls tollgate on March 18, 2025, between 2 AM and 4 AM,” he said.
Comm Nyathi said the suspects had spent the entire day monitoring and drinking beer at the complainant’s Young Money General Dealer Shop in Insuza.
“They later pounced on the two complainants while armed with pistols, knives, and axes. The suspects tied the complainants’ hands with electric cables and covered their faces with blankets before demanding gold and cash.
“The suspects ransacked the entire shop and stole an unknown amount of cash, groceries, a 48-volt lithium battery, an inverter, an amplifier, a nine-kilogram gas tank, and cellphones. They loaded the loot into their getaway vehicle, a silver Honda Fit with registration number AEY 4843, and fled,” he said.
Nyathi said one of the complainants alerted their employer, who immediately reported the incident to the police.
“A check along Victoria Falls Road spotted the Honda Fit vehicle as it was moving towards the toll gate. Detectives ordered the suspects to stop, but instead, the suspects fired shots at the police officers, leading to a shootout.
“The suspects crashed through the boom gate at the toll gate. They were arrested and taken to UBH, where they all unfortunately passed on. Police recovered two pistols with four live rounds, two gas-operated pistols, two knives, and an axe. Some of the stolen property, including groceries, the lithium battery, inverter, gas tank, and amplifier, were recovered from the vehicle,” he said.
Comm Nyathi said police will remain resolute in combating armed robbery syndicates.
“Any form of confrontation by criminals will be met with appropriate measures,” he warned.
New Ziana
