GANGS OF MUSHIKASHIKA ROBBERS NABBED

Latwell Nyangu

A NUMBER of suspects, who are linked to a series of cases in which unsuspecting passengers were lured and robbed after having been given lifts in mushikashika vehicles and pirate taxis, have been arrested..

The robberies were committed in and around the Harare Central Business District in the past week.

National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said in a statement:

“The suspects are Liberty Matsika (37), Temptation Mazodze (30), Blessing Murize (32), Rodgers Marufu (26), Golden Tangwanda (38), Admire Makumalo (51), Ashely Bakasa (28), Ndoro Chiriwa Zambezi (28), Stanley Matarutse (48) and Nyasha Kamujoma (32).

“The arrests follow robbery incidents in recent weeks where criminals would utilise ‘mushikashika’ vehicles, especially, Honda Fit, Toyota Fun Cargo, Vitz and Sienta, to lure and rob passengers.

“During the period between 20th to 28th January 2025, police tracked the suspects in and around Harare Central Business District after receiving information which linked them to the robbery incidents.

“Subsequently, the suspects were arrested leading to the recovery of cellphones, cash and other valuables.”

Commissioner Nyathi said the suspects are being linked to a robbery case in which a cellphone was stolen from a complainant after he was offered a lift in a Toyota Vitz along Kirkman Road, Harare, intending to go to the Harare CBD on Monday.

The suspects are also suspected to have been involved in a robbery case in the Majubheki area of Mbare where US$185 and two cellphones were stolen from a passenger who had been offered a lift in a Sienta vehicle, registration number AFZ 1190.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that the public should avoid boarding pirate taxis or mushikashika vehicles and should use registered public service vehicles.

“Above all, the public should remain vigilant and report any suspicious criminal activities to the police.”

Meanwhile, police in Mutoko acted on a tip-off and arrested Anderson Takawira alias Tatenda Vambe (30) , Isaac Vheremu (38), Trymore Bona (30) and Archford Chiyangwa (25) at a roadblock along the Harare/Nyamapanda Road on Monday, in connection with vandalism of a ZETDC transformer and theft of armoured cables.

The arrest led to the recovery of the suspects’ getaway car, a Toyota Aqua, registration number AGF 9536, bolts, nuts, two scales, spanners, a knife and armoured cables.

The suspects are being linked to a case of vandalism of a ZETDC transformer at Mushimbo Business Centre where transformer oil was stolen on Monday.

They are also linked to a case of theft of ZETDC copper cables at Rukau Business Centre, Mutoko, on Monday where a transformer was vandalised before armoured cables were stolen.

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