Notorious Gweru Robbers Busted

By Branton Matondo

Zimbabwe Republic Police has confirmed the arrest of prominent Gweru robbing gang that had caused havoc spree along Harare and Bulawayo highway.

The arrested suspects are Carlisto Banarbas Sakume (25) of Chiundura, Richard Maingehama, (41) of Mkoba 13, Tafara Tenson Muzanenhamo (36) of Mkoba 6, Farirai Brandy (43) of Ascot and Romeo Tinashe Mukwada (31) of Mkoba 3 Gweru.

Midlands Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the nabbing and told Post On Sunday that investigations are already underway for other stolen property.

“Zimbabwe Republic Police, Midlands Province has busted a Criminal syndicate which specialised in committing robberies along Highway roads in and around Gweru area. Five men have been arrested and more arrests are anticipated as investigations are progressing.
The arrests was made between 20 and 22 November 2021 and the 5 suspects have since appeared in Court on 23 November 2021 for initial remand. They were remanded to 7 December 2021 for trial.”

According to the official police report, the alleged robbers would board lifts pretending to be decent passengers.

The modus operandi would then tell the driver to halt and then threaten to kill. Police have confirmed the use of sharp knives and pistols during robbery activities.

Mahoko added that the ensemble had stolen 6 Honda vehicles (all recovered), cash and some gadgets.

He said ,”The property they stole includes a Toyota bubble motor vehicle stolen from Makhosana Sibanda aged 44 of Bulawayo, Honda fit motor vehicle stolen from Emmanuel Mundandi aged 38 of Gweru, Honda fit motor vehicle stolen from Stephene Deraruwa aged 36 of Kadoma, Honda fit motor vehicle stolen from Maxwell Seta aged 32 of Kadoma, Honda CRV motor vehicle stolen from Freddy Shutu aged 38 of Redcliff, Honda fit motor vehicle stolen from Simbarashe Mucharwei aged 33 of Gweru, Honda fit motor vehicle stolen from Eric Bishi Mangozhe aged 66 of Kwekwe, money and electrical gadgets such as cellphones and laptops.”

The suspects would use the motor vehicles they stole for a day or two, usually for pirating before dumping them. The total values stolen and recovered are yet to be quantified.

The police report states that the syndicate has been linked to 21 armed robbery cases and expectations are that more cases will be uncovered and more arrests will be made as investigations continue.

Police reaches out to the public to supply any information, if available useful to the investigations and desist from boarding motor vehicles in dubious places.

“The public should desist from boarding private motor vehicles and looking for transport at undesignated places so as not to fall victims to robbers,” added Mahoko.

Mahoko urged the public to get in touch with Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Gweru or any nearest police station if there is any helpful information