Another Mukuru branch robbed

Zim Now Writer

Another Mukuru outlet fell victim on Tuesday when six armed men raided the money transfer agency’s branch in Silobela in the Midlands Province where they handcuffed a cashier and security guard manning the booth at gunpoint before stealing US$1 800, R7 800 and cellphones.

The suspects then sped off in their getaway car, a Toyota Wish.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident, saying the armed robbers came around midday and joined the queue like genuine clients.

"The robbers masqueraded as genuine clients and joined the queue pretending to be waiting for their turn to be served. Three of them entered the booth and produced pistols before they ordered all clients in the booth to lie down," he said.

Inspector Mahoko said the gang threatened to shoot the teller, ordering him to surrender all the money and out of fear, he complied.

The armed robbers then jointly handcuffed the guard and the teller using the former’s handcuffs.

“They then ransacked the booth and took the money and two cellphones before speeding off in a Toyota Wish towards Nkayi,” said the police spokesperson, who added that no arrests have been made so far.

Police are appealing to anyone with information that could lead to the suspects’ arrest to contact any nearest police station.

Meanwhile, Gweru police have arrested an 18-year-old man who is part of a three-member gang that used a Honda Fit vehicle to rob passengers in and around the Midlands city.

Tatenda Munaka and his accomplices would drive around town in their Honda Fit, targeting travellers and robbing them of cash and other valuables.

Munaka’s luck ran out after one of their victims identified them while refuelling at a local service station and alerted police and members of the public, leading to his arrest but his two accomplices escaped.

Insp Mahoko said Munaka and his two accomplices moved around Gweru city centre in their Honda Fit, targeting people who were looking for transport.

“On the day in question at around 5.15am, the gang offered transport to two men who were travelling to Kwekwe from Gweru. Upon reaching Northlea roundabout, they stopped the vehicle and demanded money from the victims,” he said.

“They stabbed one of them with a knife on the left shoulder and right leg before taking the victims cellphones and US$130 cash.”

The suspects pushed the complainants out of the vehicle and sped off towards Gweru city centre.

“At around 5.40am that same day, they picked up a man who was going to Woodlands from DST Gweru in town. Along the way, they turned towards Raylton Sports Club and stopped after driving for about 100 metres,” said Insp Mahoko.

“They shocked the victim using a taser (an electroshock weapon used to incapacitate people) and took two cellphones and US$25 cash before driving towards Gweru city centre.”

One of the complainants identified the Honda Fit while it was refuelling at a service station in the city.

“The vehicle was blocked, and two suspects bolted out and ran away while Munaka was arrested. The vehicle was searched and kitchen knives, eight cellphones were recovered,” said Insp Mahoko.

Police have since launched a manhunt for the outsanding suspects.