The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
TWO armed robbers wielding machetes and flick knives pounced on a returnee from South Africa and his wife before making good their escape with US$3 100, R3 500 and two expensive cellphones in Rusape last week.
The injiva and his wife were forced to surrender the money after the armed robbers threatened to kidnap their six-year-old daughter.
Rusape District police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector, Muzondiwa Clean confirmed the incident that happened on December 19.
He identified the victims as John Basira (48) and his wife, Uniah Dube (33), both of Ridgemont Park in Rusape.
No arrests have been made and investigations are in progress.
Assistant Inspector Clean said the robbers pounced when the couple was having supper.
The robbers told the couple that they knew that Basira had just returned from South Africa with a lot of money.
Ironically, the injiva had returned from South Africa that same day for the festive holiday, raising serious question on how the criminals knew about his movements.
“The couple was having supper when two unknown male adults emerged from the door, which was not locked, armed with machetes and flick knives. They slammed the door closed and demanded all the money that Basira had brought from South Africa,” he said.
Assistant Inspector Clean said the armed robbers force-marched Basira and his wife into their bedroom, and locked the door from inside.
They asked Basira to lie on the bed facing downwards.
They tied his legs and hands at the back using shoelaces.
In a bid to induce fear in the victims, one of the accused persons allegedly struck Basira on the back using the cutting edge of the machete, injuring him in the process.
“The wife took R3 200 from her purse and gave it to the accused persons. One of them struck her with a machete on the shoulder, demanding more money. Basira told the robbers that the money that had been surrendered to them by his wife was all he had brought from South Africa.
“The armed robbers threatened to kidnap the couples’ six-year-old daughter, compelling the wife to take another US$3000 that was in the wardrobe and surrendered it to the gang. The robbers took the money, two cellphones and some beers before disappearing into the darkness,” said Assistant Inspector Clean.
He appealed to members of the public for information leading to the accused persons’ arrest.
He said police have temporarily banned the carrying of dangerous weapons such as machetes, flick knives, catapults and knobkerries, among others following an upsurge of violent crimes in the district as well as to maintain peace and tranquillity in the district.
The ban is aimed at containing crimes such as armed robberies, rapes, assault, murder and unlawful entry.
The ban will expire on February 28, 2022.
Assistant Inspector Clean also discouraged members of the public from careless talk, divulging their plans, flaunting wealth in public and keeping huge sums of money at home.
“We are urging members of the public against keeping huge sums of money at home. We are also encouraging the public to ensure tight security at the properties and leave them under the supervision of the police if they are travelling,” he said.
