Armed robbers target catholic churches 22 times

Zim Now Reporter

A Roman Catholic priest had to fire a warning shot in the latest attack by armed robbers at the church’s various sites around the country.

Las Wednesday at around 4am at Christ the King Parish in Hillside suburb a suspected robber smashed a kitchen window and entered. The resident priest fired a warning shot while the person was trying to force open the door with an iron bar. The suspect fled without taking anything.

Bulawayo Diocese Archbishop Alex Thomas revealed that the church is relieved after some suspects were arrested following a spate of robberies.

"We were worried because 22 churches were robbed recently. When the robbers got to those churches they attacked our church priests before stealing cash and electrical gadgets that ranged from cellphones to laptops. We reported all the cases to the police and we are happy because four robbers were arrested and we recovered some of the stolen items."

The suspects were arrested after one was spotted in New Magwegwe wearing a special ring. After he was apprehended he led the police to three other suspects and the four have since appeared in court.

Mthulisi Ncube, Bernard Mudimba, Lucky Sibanda and Phathisani Ncube appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Collet Ncube facing three counts of armed robber and pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Archbishop Thomas said the church is upping its security game following consultation with the police.

"We held three meetings with police to express our concern about the robberies which targeted our churches and put our lives at risk. Police advised us to beef up our security in all churches and we have done that.

"We have engaged Neighbourhood Watch Committee Members and ZRP to patrol and guard our churches. The arrangement has worked well and there are other security measures that we have implemented," he said.