Armed robbers target businessman in Borrowdale gue...

Armed robbers target businessman in Borrowdale guest house

Philemon Jambaya

Assistant Editor

Harare businessman Jiang Yao was robbed of US$21 000 by a gang of armed robbers who attacked him at a guest house in Borrowdale on Wednesday night.

Yao, 34, who has been staying at the guest house since June 13, was reportedly asleep when the robbers pounced at around 8:30 PM.

According to Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, the Harare provincial police spokesperson, the robbers tied up the security guard, Herbert Hakupangwi, before proceeding to Yao's room.

"The accused persons knocked on one of the guest houses, where the complainant was asleep and he opened the door assuming that it was one of the guest house employees," Insp Chakanza said.

"As he opened the door, six accused persons entered into the room. One of the accused persons pointed a pistol at him demanding cash."

The robbers took Yao's bag containing US$20 000, credit cards, and his passport. They later returned the passport but fled with the cash and other valuables.

Yao's colleague, Yi Ting, who has also been staying at the guest house since June 13, was not spared by the robbers. They stole her handbag containing US$1 700 and a speaker from her office.

The police are currently investigating the case