BULAWAYO police have arrested eight suspects linked to a spate of armed robberies targeting service stations, businesses, and residential properties in the city and surrounding areas.
The suspects, arrested between November 20 and 21, this year, are believed to have committed at least 10 armed robberies between February 19 and November 17, 2024.
They were identified as Elvis Charakupa (40), Khulumani Moyo (51), Mavrick Dube (32), Mongameli Moyo (27), Nkosilomusi Dube (27), Qhawe Mabhena (43), Vumani Msipa (31), and Conillias Chigara (24).
According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the group stole cash, cellphones, and other valuables during their crime spree.
Police spokesperson assistant commissioner Paul Nyathi commended the public for their role in providing vital information that led to the arrest of the suspects..
“We thank members of the public who supplied valuable information that assisted the police in apprehending the suspects,” Nyathi said.
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“The ZRP continues to urge citizens to report any criminal activities immediately.
“On November 20, detectives arrested Elvis Charakupa in Mpopoma, Bulawayo, following a tip-off linking him to several robberies.
“Charakupa later implicated Mavrick Dube and Mongameli Moyo, leading to their arrests in Bulawayo and Tsholotsho.
“The remaining suspects were arrested at the Beitbridge tollgate along the Gwanda-Beitbridge Road."
Police recovered a .32 pistol loaded with eight rounds of ammunition and two getaway vehicles, a Nissan Note (registration AFZ 4527) and a Toyota Corolla (registration ACN 3328).
"The suspects are linked to multiple high-profile cases, including an April 22 robbery at a Kelvin North service station in Bulawayo, where USD550 and a cellphone were stolen, and a November 10 robbery at another Kelvin North service station, where USD600 was taken,” he said.
“The most recent incident, on November 17, involved a robbery at a house in Nkulumane 5, Bulawayo, where ZAR 120 000 and two cellphones were stolen.”
Police are continuing investigations to determine if the group is connected to other armed robbery cases reported in Filabusi, Gwanda, Plumtree, and Beitbridge.
Last week Bulawayo police warned of a potential spike in crime rate this festive season citing a significant increase in armed robbery cases in October compared to the same period last year.
Provincial spokesperson inspector Abednico Ncube said more than 10 cases of armed robberies were recorded in October.
He said police recorded 80 cases of robbery involving machetes, up from 56 last year. In October this year, thieves brandishing AK47 assault rifles hit Bulawayo’s Ecobank in broad daylight and made off with US$4 million, the biggest heist in the country’s history.
The bank heist was captured on camera.
The Safeguard van had just picked up the cash in metal boxes from the Ecobank branch at the NRZ Building at the corner of Fife Street and 9th Avenue when men armed with AK47s quickly surrounded the truck and subdued the guards.
They also took some rifles from the security guards.