WhatsApp message leads to armed robbers’ arrest

Zim Now Writer

Police in Chiredzi on Saturday arrested five armed robbers in the Mkwasine area, after alert villagers sent messages in a community WhatsApp group which the officers reacted to and waylaid the gang.

Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident, applauding the community for sharing information that led to the arrest of the armed gang.

He urged other communities to do the same when faced with similar circumstances.

The gang members, Freddy Hlupeko, 18, from Chief Nhema’s area in Zaka, Eriya Gambare, 38, from Mbare in Harare, Givemore Sarajero, 43, of Waterfalls in Harare, Isaac Tamangani, 36, from Usheokunze in Harare and Cosmas Dzamara, 18, from Waterfalls in Harare arrived at Chehondo compound in Mkwasine in a Toyota Runx vehicle around 3pm.

Two gang members disembarked and proceeded to tuck-shops at the compound.

On arrival at one of the tuck-shops, one of them produced a pistol and pointed at Ledwin Bila’s, 30,’s forehead before taking US$10 from a shelf. They proceeded to Vongai Chirume’s tuck-shop where they threatened her before robbing her of US$20.

They went back to the car and drove off towards Farm 10, in Mkwasine where they also threatened shop owners and got away with an undisclosed sum of money.

Police officers gathered information about the robberies from a Mkwasine WhatsApp group and waylaid the armed robbers at Robson Manyika Business Centre in Mkwasine.

Police officers searched the gang and seized a pistol with two rounds, dagga and two electric cigars.