Staff reporter
The Police has made significant inroads in accounting for the robbers, who got away with 12kg of gold in a heist that occurred in Bulawayo yesterday morning, when they arrested three of the 13-member gang on the same day.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul confirmed the arrests in a statement he issued yesterday. Ascom Nyathi the police had arrested Anthony Moyo (39), Wilson Mutandwa (24) and Ernest Mtandwa (30) in connection with an armed robbery case which occurred on 4 October 2022.
“The armed robbers were part of a shootout with security guards before stealing nearly 12 kg gold from a (Securico Security) cash-in-transit vehicle at the 22km peg along Bulawayo-How Mine Road, Douglasdale, Bulawayo, where 11.6 kg of gold in transit from How Mine to Fidelity Printers, Bulawayo and four firearms were stolen,” Nyathi said.
The police established that the arrested were part of a 13 men gang that intercepted How Mine security guards and got away with four firearms.
The police received information that some of the stolen items were abandoned at a house under construction along Folly Road, West Summerton, Bulawayo.
“Detectives reacted to the report and recovered car keys, 3×9mm spent cartridges, a black glove, 303 rifle loaded with eight live rounds and three empty metal boxes,” said Nyathi in the statement.
Further investigations by the police established that the South African registered Nissan NP 300 single cab vehicle, registration number HR30XJGP, which was abandoned by the suspects at the scene, belong to Ximba Nkosilathi, also known as Tonderai Vumbunu and was at times seen being driven by Anthony Moyo.
Police arrested Anthony Moyo who implicated Wilson Mutandwa and Earnest Mutandwa who were subsequently arrested in Beitbridge while attempting to flee to South Africa.
Nyathi warned armed robbery syndicates, including company employees and associates leaking information to criminals, that their days are numbered and appealled for information which may lead to the arrest of the outstanding suspects.
Meanwhile Zimbabweans have applauded the police for their swift action which led to the arrest of the three robbers
“I’m pleased with the competence of our police force. As citizens of Zimbabwe, we feel safe and secure to know that we have competent men and women who go out of their way to ensure that all criminals are behind bars,” said Marvellous Togwirepi of Mufakose in Harare.
“Although they have not arrested all the robbers, I am very happy with the progress made in a matter of hours. I appreciate the work of the police and am very sure that shortly they will arrest all the robbers involved in the case and bring them to book,” said Peter Mukodza of Zengeza in Chitungwiza.
