Delta Chipinge armed robbers nabbed

Zim Now Writer

Police in Chipinge have apprehended nine suspected armed robbers who stole US$20 965 and ZAR18 750 from Delta Beverages Chipinge branch on May 22, 2023.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Nobert Muzondo confirmed the arrests saying investigations are underway.

“We have arrested nine suspects, and investigations are underway. We want to thank the public who helped us with information which led to the arrest of the accused persons,” he said.

The suspects are Cephas Mhlambo, 52, Stanley Zamazama, 29, Raymond Kampilo, 31, Cheis Chauke, 48, Prosper Garikai, 46, Brighton Dhliwayo, 38, Tendai Mahari, 40, Clever Sithole, 27 and Edson Muchape, 38.

Circumstances are that the gang pounced at the Chipinge branch around 1am. They jumped the perimeter wall and manhandled Joyman Chekani, a security guard before force-marching him to the reception, where they tied his hands and legs using shoe laces.

Four gang members proceeded to the cash office, where they disarmed Edson Muchape, another security guard who was armed with a revolver. They tied his legs and hands using plastic cable tiers.

They entered the cash office after breaking a screen gate and the door using a pick.

The gang demanded cash at gunpoint, which a Delta driver, Freddy Japureni, 62, was handing over to Peter Sithole, the guard on duty.

One of them assaulted Japureni with the pick all over the body and dragged the duo outside the office, where they tied their hands and legs using cable tiers and shoe laces.

They then demanded the safe keys and stole the money. The gang also went away with a Delta Beverages salesman gadget.

Chekani freed himself and untied others. They then filed a police report at Chipinge Urban.