Staff Reporter
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested nine suspects in connection with a series of armed robberies in Harare’s Southerton area, Harare Central Business District, and Bulawayo.
The suspects are believed to have been involved in high-profile cases of theft and robbery, targeting substantial amounts of cash, vehicles, and other valuables.
According to a press statement released yesterday, ZRP confirmed that seven suspects were arrested in connection with a robbery that took place on January 20, 2025, at a company in Southerton, Harare.
During the incident, a safe containing USD 12 000, a Nissan NP300 motor vehicle, a closed-circuit television (CCTV) digital recorder, an HP laptop, and other valuables were stolen.
The suspects were identified as Tapiwanashe Bakasa (30), Rodgers Magreen (28), Tinashe Thompson (30), Tatenda Mashayamombe (29), Peter Mahwite (49), Anymore Gatsi (38), and Wilson Masvosve (35).
The stolen vehicle was recovered later, abandoned at the corner of Robert Mugabe and Julius Nyerere, in Harare's Central Business District.
Acting swiftly on intelligence, detectives from CID Homicide tracked down the suspects to a residence along Mutatarimbo Road in Mufakose, where they apprehended Tapiwanashe Bakasa.
A safe containing company documents and the CCTV digital recorder was recovered at the scene.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Rodgers Magreen in Stoneridge, Harare, where USD 1 565 in cash and an HP laptop were recovered.
Magreen implicated Tinashe Thompson, who was subsequently arrested at Chibwe Shopping Centre in Stoneridge.
Items recovered from Thompson included a unique pistol with an empty magazine, pepper spray, an okapi knife, USD 800 in cash, and a motorcycle allegedly purchased for USD 1 200 using proceeds from the robbery.
The remaining suspects, Tatenda Mashayamombe, Peter Mahwite, Anymore Gatsi, and Wilson Masvosve, were apprehended in Mbare.
ZRP spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi revealed that all suspects are in custody and assisting with investigations.
In a separate incident in Bulawayo, two suspects, identified as Nkiwane Nomzamo (42) and Taurai Alfred (43), were arrested for their involvement in a robbery that occurred on January 14, 2025.
The suspects allegedly stole ZAR 158 160 and USD 9 339 from a gaming company in Bulawayo Central Business District.
The robbery happened after the complainant had collected the funds from a gaming outlet and was en route to the company’s headquarters in Harare.
Detectives linked the Bulawayo suspects to the crime on January 20, 2025, leading to their arrest in Nkulumane.
The police recovered ZAR 3600 and USD 40 in cash. Investigations revealed that Taurai Alfred, a former security guard at the gaming company’s Harare headquarters, masterminded the robbery and provided inside information.
The ZRP has lauded the public for providing valuable tips that aided in the arrests and recovery of stolen property.
“We urge companies and individuals to remain vigilant and avoid moving with large sums of money,” said the ZRP statement.
The public has been encouraged to report any suspicious activities to the police via the National Complaints Desk or WhatsApp.
The arrested suspects are expected to appear in court soon, as investigations continue to uncover more details about their alleged involvement in these crimes.
