The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure Senior Reporter
A GANG of five robbers wearing balaclavas and wielding axes, machetes, iron bars and catapults pounced on a returnee from South Africa, his relative and a taxi driver who had been hired to ferry them to their rural home and stole R269 000, US$800, cellphones and the cab.
The vehicle was used as a gateway car.
Rusape District police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Muzondiwa Clean confirmed the incident that occurred on last Tuesday around 7pm.
He identified the victims as Solomon Dangirwa, Hatirarami Manyara (both of Muome village, under Chief Makoni) and John Samukange of Magamba Extension, Rusape.
No arrests have been made and investigations are in progress.
“Dangirwa had hired Samukange, a taxi driver, to ferry him to his rural home. Upon arrival, they entered the house leaving the car keys on the ignition. Moments later, five male assailants descended on the homestead wielding machetes, axes, iron bars and catapults. They entered the house and ordered the three to lie down.
“The robbers demanded cash, while searching Dangirwa. They robbed him of US$800, R10 000 and a cellphone. They searched the other two victims and stole cellphones from them. The robbers proceeded to search the wardrobe and took a satchel containing R250 000.
“One of the robbers removed his shoelaces and the gang used them to tie the victims’ hands backwards and locked the door from outside. They drove off in Samukange’s cab,” said Assistant Inspector Clean.
The Honda Fit cab was later found abandoned in Rusape after its tank had been emptied and the battery removed.
Sources privy to the investigations told this publication that Dangirwa arrived in the country on November 24 and had purchased a house, a shop, a car and was constructing a modest house at his rural homestead.
In an interview on Wednesday, a distraught Samukange said the armed robbers pounced as they were offloading some goods from the cab.
“When the armed robbers drove off in my car, it was like I had been stabbed in the heart because it is my only source of livelihood. I felt a sharp pain in my heart and started crying.”
“We managed to untie ourselves, destroyed one of the roofing sheets and escaped through the roof. We cried for help and later called the police who arrived with dogs, but their search party yielded nothing as the robbers had escaped in my car.
“The whole incident was scary. The guys were cheeky and we had to obey their instructions. They threatened to kill if resisted,” said Samukange.
