Armed robbers steal US$14.5, R13.5 from Inter Afri...

Armed robbers steal US$14.5, R13.5 from Inter Africa depot

Zim Now Writer

Police have launched a manhunt for five armed robbers who struck an Inter Africa depot in the Masvingo industrial area and got away with US$14 524 and R13 450.

Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said the robbery happened around 1am on Wednesday.

The five robbers, who were armed with a pistol and iron bars, first gained entry into a neighbouring garage housing Quality Gas Garage and tied Taurai Mlambo, who was sleeping in his vehicle and Knowledge Mutsananguri, who was guarding the premises.

They then demanded the names of the Inter Africa depot security guards from the two before tying them with shoelaces and bundling them into Mutsananguri vehicle.

Two of the robbers then drove Mutsananguri’s vehicle to the Inter Africa gate and called the security guards by their names. When the guards did not respond, the robbers force-opened the gate using iron bars and two of them drove into the garage.

Three other robbers jumped over the perimeter wall and manhandled Kudakwashe Katiza, 36, who was sleeping inside a bus and stole his phone before tying two other guards’ feet and hands with shoe laces.

The robbers then proceeded to an office where they force-opened a safe using an iron bar and stole all the money that was there before they drove away in an unidentified vehicle.

The security guards later freed themselves and filed a police report. The Inter Africa depot manager, Cephas Machaka, 36, who confirmed the amounts of money in the safe, attended the scene together with the police.