The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura Rusape Correspondent
DETECTIVES in Rusape have busted a syndicate of notorious burglars and armed robbers that terrorised the town with their criminal activities for the past two months.
The criminals hit business entities, homes, local authorities, courts and Government offices targeting computer desktops, laptops and television sets, among others. Rusape district police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Muzondiwa Clean confirmed the arrests of the four suspects on the back of another burglary at Chingaira Makoni Government complex, which shares the boundary with ZRP Rusape district head office, last week.
The armed robbery suspects are Titus Mhembwe (27), Phineas Dausi (22) of Mutawa location in Macheke, Prince Madziro (35) of Zumbani village under Chief Makoni and Itayi Chivandire (22) of NE 135 Vengere Township in Rusape were arrested in connection with a spate of burglaries in the town.
The arrest of the four will assist police to clear an assortment of armed robbery and burglary cases perpetrated in Rusape and surrounding areas.
Mhembwe and Dausi allegedly robbed an inmate at Rest Havens, an affluent old peoples’ home located along Nyanga Road and escaped with goods valued at $2 683.
“On February 19, 2019 during the night, Mhembwe and Dausi armed with machetes went to Rest Haven Old Peoples’ Home and knocked at one of the inmates’ house and he opened the door. They attacked him with machetes and stole property valued at $2 683 which included laptops, clothes and electrical gadgets.
“The suspects were holed up at a house in Magamba high density and police received a tip off from members of the public and arrests were made.
“On February 19, 2019 Madziro and Chivandire connived and went to a house in Silverbow and tempered with the door to gain entry. They stole two television sets and a gas stove. Police arrested the duo following a tip-off from members of the public and recovered the goods valued at $3 000,” said Asst Insp Clean.
The four suspects were expected to appear in court on Wednesday for initial remand. They were, however held back by police as fresh allegations awaited them.
Asst Insp Clean hailed members of the public for availing vital information to police.
He said Rusape was a no-go-zone for criminals, adding that detectives were working tirelessly to bring other outstanding suspects to book.
“Members of the public should continue supplying the police with vital information on the operations and whereabouts of any criminal gang in the town. It is through such information that we were able to arrest the four suspects.
‘‘We still need more information so that all outstanding criminals are brought to book and face the full wrath of the law. The same public is warned against harbouring criminals,” said Asst Insp Clean.
