The ManicaPost
Crime Reporter
ARMED robbers are on the prowl in Rusape where they are targeting defenceless single-mothers who are into informal trading and employing an assortment of coercive antics to cow them into submission and surrendering cars, cash and grocery.
Detectives have launched a manhunt for the criminals infamous for using hammers and iron bars to both break the houses and attack their victims in a bid to force them to surrender their belongings.
Rusape District police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector, Muzondiwa Clean confirmed various incidence of armed robbery in the town, and appealed to members of the public for information leading to the arrest of the suspects.
He said on December 22, six men armed with hammers and iron bars pounced on Ms Nomore Arubu (35)’s house in Magamba suburb and escaped with her Toyota Hiace, U$1 500, R2 000 and an assortment of grocery.
“They cut the razor wire and scaled over the precast wall. They used hammers to smash the door open. While inside the house, they ordered the complainant who was asleep with her mother to lie down and demanded cash. They assaulted Ms Arubu’s 55-year-old mother with hammers to induce fear in them.
“The criminals ransacked the house and stole U$1 500, R2 000 and groceries which they loaded into her Toyota Hiace vehicle. They later dumped the Hiace near Silverbow Cemetery after running out of fuel. They disappeared with its keys,” said Assistant Inspector Clean.
He said the following morning, the gang pounced on another house in Silverbow and robbed Ms Annah Chimbadzwa U$700, grocery and a Toyota Wish vehicle.
The Toyota Wish was later dumped in Nyazura.
“They used the same modus operandi of attacking victims with iron bars and hammers to coerce them to surrender money,” he said.
Assistant Inspector Clean also said another woman on the same evening around 10pm, another victim, Ms Tarisai Kaneunyenye (25), of Sanzaguru was robbed US$57 and a satchel with various clothes after bordering a Honda Fit vehicle at Max Village in Vengere.
“Ms Kaneunyenye bordered a Honda Fit around 10pm after travelling for about 200 metres around Rujeko Primary School she was asked to surrender her belongings. The driver who had three male passengers dumped her at the Fly-Over along Rusape- Wedza Road. She was assisted by Good Samaritans to report the incident to the police,” he said.
He warned members of the public against boarding mushika-shika vehicles at night, and to observe curfew hours as they risk being robbed, kidnapped or killed.
