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Misfortunes trail pastor

21 Jan, 2022 - 00:01 0 Views
Misfortunes trail pastor Clarity is the intent of one's existence

The ManicaPost

Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter

A RUSAPE businesswoman who was confronted by six masked robbers, who made off with cash and goods worth US$24 000, has described the ordeal as traumatising.

Six cheeky robbers, two armed with guns, last Wednesday night stormed clergy-cum-businesswoman, Pastor Eliwe Mutemaringa’s house and escaped with US$15 000, R2 200, a Honda Fit and cellphones, among other valuables.

Pr Mutemaringa said the entire ordeal lasted for about 40 minutes as the criminals ransacked her home.

She was asleep in the main bedroom when the robbers gained entry through the kitchen and woke her family up.

To induce fear, the robbers attacked her family with a shovel and a hot iron, while the armed ones shoved their guns into their mouths.

She said she was terribly frightened at the prospect of a return of the criminals.

“This incident left me very shaken. I now fear for my safety. I didn’t recognise their faces as they were wearing balaclavas,” she said.

She described five of the criminals as young and small built, while the other one is medium built.

The assailants were all in dark clothing.

“They assaulted us with the back of the shovel while shouting and demanding that I give them money. The manner in which they executed the robbery was ruthless — imagine having a gun shoved into your mouth. It was so terrifying.

“They also attacked us with a hot iron, and we were so scared of our lives. I did not know what they were capable of, and there was real danger of being killed for not complying with their demands for cash,” she told The Manica Post.

Pr Mutemaringa said out of fear, she showed them the US$14 500 that was under the sofa.

They then tied her using a curtain before grabbing keys for her Honda Fit.

The robbers also tied Tanaka Kaseke, Mike Moyo, Devon Makawa and Tinotenda Mutemaringa with curtains before confiscating their cellphones.

They went outside where they allegedly stole a car battery from Pr Mutemaringa’s Chevrolet.

“They drove away in a Honda Fit which had another US$500 and R2 200. Luckily the vehicle was recovered abandoned in the UVE area in Vengere after it had run out of fuel.

“Police need to thoroughly investigate this and other outstanding cases of armed robbery and bring the culprits to book. As long as they remain fugitives from justice we are not safe,” she said.

Pr Mutemaringa said they later managed to free themselves and make a report at Rusape Central Police Station.

She said there were similarities between her encounter and robberies that occurred in December.

On December 22, a gang of six armed criminals pounced on Ms Nomore Arubu’s house in Magamba, Rusape and robbed her of a Toyota Hiace, U$1 500, R2 000 and an assortment of groceries.

They also robbed Ms Annah Chimbadzwa of U$700, grocery and a Toyota Wish which was later found dumped in Nyazura.

“They used the same tactics of attacking victims to coerce them to surrender money. The amount of force and brutality meted on those women was also meted on us. This proves that Rusape is their hunting ground. My prayer is that they be brought to book and given lengthy jail terms because they are evil,” she said.

This is the third knock on the business woman, who late last year lost goods worth US$20 000 after a hired truck driver diverted them and converted the money to his own use. The hired lorry was found dumped in Mutare, amid reports that the driver had skipped into Mozambique.

The business woman also had a batch of 15 000 condemned chicks delivered to her, and the suspect is still walking scot-free.

To add insult to injury, late last year she also lost her teenage son to blood cancer.

Pastor Mutemariga said these incidents have left her feeling vulnerable.

National deputy police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Blessmore Chishaka said investigations are in progress.

No arrests have been made yet.

 

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