Masvingo highway armed robbers arrested

Zim Now Writer

Two more armed robbers, who were part of a six-member gang that was terrorising motorists and commuters along the Harare-Masvingo highway and the Masvingo area in general since January this year, have been arrested.

The gun wielding members of the gang would pretend to be genuine travellers and stop motorists at Mbudzi Roundabout and later Boka Auction Floors after the former was closed to pave way for the construction of the Mbudzi Interchange.

According to Criminal Investigations Department spokesperson Detective Assistant Inspector Rachel Muteweri, the robbers would rob the motorists by strangling them with seat belts after producing pistols and knives.

Detectives arrested Joshua Rambique, 29, and Karen Gidi, 27, of Ushewokunze, Harare on 23 December, 2022 after they had picked information that Rambique was visiting his sister in Glen View.

They followed him and later arrested him in Ushewokunze with police recovering an Apple Ipad and an Epson printer, which have since been linked to armed robberies which occurred in Kadoma and Norton respectively.

Rambique implicated his female accomplice, Gidi.

“They have since been held responsible for 11 counts of armed robbery. In one glaring incident, the gang, which alternated its female members, boarded a Toyota IST from Masvingo to Roy (Zaka Turn off) posing as genuine travellers before robbing the complainant of his motor vehicle and groceries at gun point.

“They tied him with a seat belt.

“On 15 August 2022, the accused persons boarded a Honda Fit which was travelling from Harare to Beitbridge. They produced pistols and robbed the complainant of his motor vehicle, a Samsung Galaxy Note 10, cash US$4 100, ZWL$20 000. They tied him to a tree using a seat belt,” Detective Asst Insp Muteveri said, adding that two days later, using the same modus operandi they boarded a white Toyota Corolla which was destined for Beitbridge from Harare.

They robbed the complainant of his motor vehicle, a Y5 cell phone and US$918.

On one occasion, the suspects changed tact while driving a Toyota Wish, offering a lift to a complainant who intended to travel from Masvingo to Zvishavane.

They robbed him US$640 before dumping him on the highway.

All the motor vehicles which were robbed were recovered dumped in different locations such as Mbare, Mushagashe Business Centre in Masvingo, Exor Service station, Masvingo and also along Masvingo- Mutare Highway.

The gang was unique in that it would have a lady or two at any given time, designed to gain trust of their potential victims.

“We encourage the motoring public to desist from picking up strangers when traveling as they risk losing their valuables to criminals.

In the same vein, the commuting public is urged to utilise public transport and board it at designated places. We say no to Mushikashika. These pirate taxis are a major catalyst of armed robberies notwithstanding that they contribute immensely to fatalities on our roads,” Detective Asst Insp Muteveri said.

She appealed for information that may lead to the arrest outstanding members of this criminal gang; Patrick Chikafa, alias Jimmy or James; and Shylene Gidi both from Ushewokunze, Harare.