BULAWAYO, Mar. 18 (NewsDay Live) – Six armed robbers were killed during a shootout with police at the tollgate along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway on Tuesday morning.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi in a statement said the alleged suspects had spent the whole of Monday drinking beer at the complainant’s shop in Insuza, where they were also monitoring activities there.
The suspected robbers later pounced on two people at the shop while armed with pistols, knives and axes.
“The suspects went on to tie the hands of the complainants with electric cables before covering their faces with blankets. They demanded gold and cash,” Nyathi said.
“The suspects ransacked the whole shop and took away an unknown amount of cash, groceries, 48 volts lithium battery, inverter, amplifier, 9kg gas tank and cellphones.
“They loaded the loot into their getaway silver Honda Fit vehicle, registration number, AEY 4843 and fled.”
He said one of the complainants alerted their employer, who immediately contacted the police.
“A check along Victoria Falls Road spotted the Honda Fit vehicle as it was moving towards the tollgate. Detectives ordered the suspects to stop,” Nyathi said.
- Fresh demolitions hit Mbare
- Police accused of killing Budiriro man
- Fresh demolitions hit Mbare
- Police accused of killing Budiriro man
Keep Reading
“Instead, the suspects fired shots towards the police officers leading to a shoot-out.
“The suspects went on to hit the boom gate at the toll gate.”
He added: “They were arrested and taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals where they all, unfortunately, passed on.
“The police recovered two pistols with four live rounds, two gas operated pistols, two knives and an axe.”
Nyathi said the police recovered some of the stolen property.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that there is no going back in the fight against armed robbery syndicates in the country,” he said.
“Any form of confrontation by criminals will be responded to through appropriate measures.”
