SA and Zim suspected armed robbers die in police s...

SA and Zim suspected armed robbers die in police shootouts

Zim Now Writer

Police have announced that they shot dead suspected members of the same armed robbery gang in two separate shootouts in Harare.

The two were part of a gang believed to have been targeting a Chinese national.

Jabulani Ngobeni, 45, of Tzannen in Limpopo was shot dead at a guest house in Arcadia, Harare and Godknows Machingura, 44, was shot while fleeing from police in the same neighbourhood after being lured from Shamva.

Police arrested four men suspected of being members of the gang.

Andrew Masubelele, 38, of Atteridgeville in Pretoria; Ndiafhi Makhado, 39, of Thsakhuma in Limpopo; Emmanuel Makamo, 22, of Alberton in Johannesburg and Paul Zhou, 55, of Waterfalls in Harare are facing charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and illegal possession of unregistered firearms.

Police indicated that they received intelligence that the gang that crossed into Zimbabwe via Beitbridge planned to rob a Chinese national with business operations in Kwekwe by ambushing his vehicle as he drove to Harare.

Detectives tracked the gang to a lodge in Arcadia where the deceased Ngobeni allegedly opened fire with a pistol.

Police went on to arrest Makhado, Masubelele, Makamo and Zhou. The suspects led police to Shamva where Machingura was allegedly monitoring the movements of the Chinese man who works in Kwekwe.

Using the suspects in custody, police lured Machingura to Morgan High School in Arcadia. On realising that he had been ambushed, Machingura attempted to flee and was shot in the groin during a high speed chase. Police recovered a pistol from the injured Machingura who was declared dead upon arrival at Parirenyatwa Hospital.

National police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police is on alert for transnational criminals following the recent Kadoma-Chegutu and Victoria Falls incidents which involved foreigners and shootings.

“The police assures the public that it will account for all criminals and ensure the law takes its course. Any form of confrontation with the police will be met with an appropriate response,” said Ass Comm Nyathi.