Moffat Mungazi
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
POLICE have launched a manhunt for three armed robbers who last Sunday night pounced on a Rukweza businessman, and robbed him of his motor vehicle and US$4 000 cash.
The robbers forced their entry into Mr Rodrick Chipungare’s bedroom, wielding a gun and an iron bar which they used to subdue their victim and his wife, Ms Kudzanai Mpofu.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the robbery, saying the trio tied the husband and wife with cables, before spraying them with peeper.
They ransacked the room, and stole US$4 000 and R7 000. They also demanded keys of Mr Chipungare’s Nissan Caravan vehicle, and drove away with it.
“On January 19, at around 7.30pm, and at This and That General Dealer, at Rukweza Business Centre, Mr Chipungare and his wife, Ms Mpofu closed their shop and locked the doors. They went to sleep in their bedroom behind the shop.
“On the same night at around 9pm, Mr Chipungare went outside to fetch water at the tap and returned to the bedroom. Three unknown accused persons forcibly pushed the door, before Ms Mpofu had locked it. They overpowered her and gained entry. One of the accused persons was armed with an identified black pistol, iron bar and peeper spray.
“The accused persons ordered the complainant and his wife to lie down, and the two complied. One of the accused persons sprayed their victims with pepper. They tied them with electrical cables, before demanding cash. Mr Chipungare told them that the money was in a jacket in the wardrobe,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
He said the robbers took US$4 000, R 7000 cash and five cellphones which were on the table.
They went on to demand the car keys, and Mr Chipungare told the robbers to take them from the cashbox.
“They drove away with the metallic grey Nissan Caravan, Registration Number AEV0888. They drove in an unknown direction and destination. Mr Chipungure later managed to untie himself and his wife, and filed a report at Nyazura Police Station. The three suspects are still at large.
“Value of the stolen property is US$15 000, and nothing was recovered. We are appealing for information leading to the arrest of the suspects. Those with information should contact their nearest police station,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
In an unrelated incident, Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said police are looking for 21 suspects who heavily assaulted and robbed mining concern, Betterbrands employee of his cellphone and US$75 cash last Sunday in Penhalonga.
He said Mr Aaron Sibanda was attacked after professing ignorance on the whereabouts of his bosses.
“On Sunday afternoon, Mr Sibanda was on his way from the shaft when he met 21 unknown accused persons who asked him about the whereabouts of his superiors. Mr Sibanda said he did not know, and this did not go down well with the accused persons who took turns to assault him with iron bars and logs several times all over the body.
“One of the accused persons took the complainant’s wallet containing US$75, national identity card, Betterbrands identity card and a cellphone. They left the complainant lying helplessly on the ground. Mr Sibanda suffered a swollen body and was also bleeding on the left ears as a result of the assault. He was attended at Penhalonga Clinic where he was referred to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital for further management.
“Valued of the stolen property is US$275, and nothing was recovered. Investigations are under way, and police are appealing for information leading to the arrest of the suspects,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
