By Delicious Mathuthu
Harare, Zimbabwe – The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) armed robbery crack teams have apprehended 16 suspects and left one dead in two separate operations in the capital, Harare.
In the first operation, three suspects, Ashton Siziva (26), Sauro Dadirai (24) and Phineas Shumba (25) were arrested in connection with a South Africa bound Blue Circle bus robbery case at Vilivili Bus Stop, Mwenezi along Masvingo-Beitbridge Road on the 17th of July 2024.
The suspects were found in possession of a pistol loaded with two 9mm rounds, R7 000 of the R62 070 robbed, US$500 of the US$8 621 stolen, two Blue Circle bus tickets and a balaclava.
National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests, sharing more details.
“Five suspects, who were aboard the bus from Harare to Beitbridge, armed with a pistol and knives, robbed the passengers of US$8,621.00 and ZAR 62,070.00 cash before firing two shots in the air.
“On 18th July 2024, Police in Mwenezi acted on received information and arrested Ashton Siziva, Sauro Dadirai, and Phineas Shumba at Maporisa Business Centre, Maranda, Mwenezi.
“The arrest of the three armed robbery suspects led to the recovery of a pistol loaded with two 9mm rounds, ZAR 7,000.00, US$500.00, two Blue Circle bus tickets, and a balaclava,” he said.
Two of the suspects, identified as Elphias Mugurugudze and Talent Ndou are still at large.
In the second operation, 13 suspects were arrested and one killed after a shootout, in connection with a spate of robbery cases that occurred in and around Harare from May 2022 to April 2024.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Thembinkosi Matutu (47), Batsirai Hutsi (21), Innocent Chawaguta (37), Tafadzwa Chirinda Charute (36), Owen Mbayi (37), Promise Mussa (36), Tapiwa Chigwaze (39), Winston Matizanadzo (46), Kamuriwo Mudziwaona (39), Farai Chauke (38), Simbarashe Vhazhure (33), John Manobo (34), and Happy Matombo (58).
One of the suspects, Norest Prosper Mutambudzi (48), was fatally shot during a shootout with police detectives, Commissioner Nyathi said.
“On 17th July 2024, detectives from CID (Criminal Investigation Department) Homicide, Harare acted on received information and arrested Thembinkosi Matutu at his residence in Chinamano Extension, Epworth.
“Thembinkosi Matutu implicated Norest Prosper Mutambudzi and Batsirai Hutsi as his accomplices.
“Thembinkosi Matutu lured Norest Prosper Mutambudzi to Domboramwari, Epworth, where the detectives had mounted an ambush.
“On seeing the detectives, Norest Prosper Mutambudzi withdrew a firearm from his waist, and a shootout ensued.
“Resultantly, Norest Prosper Mutambudzi was shot on the abdomen and was ferried to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals for treatment, where he was pronounced dead upon admission,” Commissioner Nyathi said on the events leading to the suspect’s death.
The detectives recovered a 9mm pistol with three live rounds and 2 X 9mm spent cartridges at the scene.
The following day, Hutsi was arrested as well, with the rest already in custody.
“On 18th July 2024, Batsirai Hutsi was arrested at Muza Shopping Area, Epworth, after a shootout.
“The suspect’s arrest led to the recovery of a magazine with 8 X 9mm rounds, a 38 special Smith and Wesson revolver with one live round and a 9mm Llama pistol,” Commissioner Nyathi said.
The suspects are linked to 10 cases of robbery including one on the 16th of May 2022 at a security company in Harare, where US$142 995 and six firearms were stolen and another at a service station in Chinhamo, Hatfield, Harare, on the 29th of March 2024 where US$10 650 was robbed.
