Toyota Wish robbers terrorize Gweru residents
By Delicious Mathuthu
A white Toyota Wish with four armed robbers is terrorising unsuspecting Gweru commuters, robbing them of cash and valuables at knifepoint.
So far, robbery cases linked to the car have been reported in Riverside, Gweru CBD and Mkoba.
Midlands police have since launched a manhunt for the suspects and warned commuters to be cautious when travelling and use registered public transport vehicles.
In two cases reported on Sunday (19 February), three commuters from Riverside and Mkoba lost cash and valuables worth almost US$1,800.
In the first case, two sisters from Riverside boarded the Toyota Wish at the Riverside roundabout (traffic circle) along Mvuma road at around 5:30 am intending to get into town.
Upon reaching a railway line along the way, the four suspects in the car produced knives and demanded cash and valuables.
They lost US$290, ZWL$4000 and a bag with clothing items.
In the second case, a-24-year old man heading to Mkoba boarded a similar car with four occupants at DST, suspected to be the same car used at the Riverside incident.
Upon reaching the rail crossing near the Old Prison complex, the four man produced knives and robbed him of US$1004, three cellphones and a power-bank.
The suspects blind folded him, drove all the way to Mkoba before dropping him off at the MASO turnoff.
Midlands Police Spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, confirmed the incidents. “Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating a robbery case which occurred in Gweru along Mvuma Road near Riverside round about on 19 February 2023 around 0530hours.
“It is alleged that two sisters namely Faith Mangwana aged 42 years and Prisca Marindire aged 41 boarded an unregistered Toyota Wish which had four male occupants heading to Gweru Central Business District.
“Upon reaching a railway line the driver stopped the vehicle and two of the male occupants produced knives threatening the women with death while ordering them to surrender all their valuables.
“They robbed them of USD$290.00, RTGS ZWL$4000.00 and a bag with various clothing items.
“After committing the offence the suspects ordered the women to disembark from the vehicle and sped off towards Gweru Central Business District,” Inspector Mahoko said. In the second case, he said “In a related incident which occurred on the same date at around 0545hours, it is alleged that Demelza Chandiya aged 24 of Mkoba Gweru, boarded a Toyota Wish registration number AEL7908 white in colour which had four occupants at DST, Gweru intending to go home.
“On approaching a railway line opposite Old Prison Complex along ED Mnangagwa Street, Gweru, he was manhandled by the other passengers who demanded cash at knife point.
“They searched and robbed him of cash amounting to USD$1004.00, 3 cellphones and a power-bank.
“The suspects blind folded the complainant until they reached MASO turnoff in Mkoba where they pushed him out of the vehicle and sped off.
“Total value stolen is US$1784-00 and
nothing was recovered.”
Kwedu Classics
Your story our story