Four Dead in Harare Police–Armed Gang Shootout
Two suspects have been apprehended and four killed following a violent confrontation between the Zimbabwe Republic Police and a notorious armed robbery gang in Harare’s Warren Park suburb.
Delicious Mathuthu 
Harare - A violent confrontation between law enforcement and a suspected criminal syndicate in Harare's Warren Park Suburb has left four suspects dead and two others in custody, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed.
The incident, which occured on Monday, 30 March 2026, marks a significant escalation in the authorities' ongoing crackdown on a series of high-profile armed robberies that have plagued the country over the last two months.
The operation began after detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Homicide unit acted on acquired intelligence.
The initial efforts led to the apprehension of 28-year-old Nelson Chitima at his residence in Glenview 7 Extension.
Following his arrest, investigators reported that the suspect implicated Edson Guvira, Mike Manyima, Office Chanakira, Atenzi and Chris as his accomplices.
The breakthrough allowed police to recover a Nissan NV350 vehicle, which they identified as a primary getaway car, along with various items including a white balaclava and an assortment of liquor.
The pursuit intensified when Chitima cooperated with detectives to coordinate a meeting with his associates.
"Nelson Chitima assisted the detectives to lure Edson Guvira to Mhishi Shopping Centre, Harare," ZRP national police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi stated.
The encounter turned physical when the suspect attempted to evade capture upon spotting law enforcement.
Commissioner Nyathi said Guvira fled, leading the detectives to fire warning shots, he did not stop resulting in him being shot in the leg and successfully detained.
The investigation reached a lethal climax at Warren Park 1 Shopping Centre.
Detectives observed the remaining four members of the gang, Mike Manyima, Office Chanakira and two men known only as Atenzi and Chris, arriving in a Toyota Passo.
Commissioner Nyathi detailed how the group appeared to be planning for another robbery while waiting for their colleagues.
When officers moved in to intercept the group, the situation turned into a live-fire exchange.
"The police identified themselves and ordered the suspects to surrender. The suspects fired shots at the officers. A shootout ensued leading to the subsequent shooting of the four suspects," Commissioner Nyathi said.
Although the injured men were rushed to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, they were pronounced dead upon admission.
A subsequent search of the gang's vehicle yielded a significant cache of weaponry and evidence, including a 70 Vozol pistol, a 38 Rossi revolver, a pellet gun and 35 X 9mm live rounds, eight emulates, four fuses, one paper spray, a balaclava, four cellphones and two national identity cards belonging to Mike Manyima and Office Chanakira.
In addition to the immediate arrests and fatalities, the ZRP has linked the syndicate to several major robberies across Harare.
These include a February heist in Kuwadzana where goods worth US$500 were stolen, an attack in Aspindale where they disarmed security guards of a revolver, and a recent raid on a Glen Norah liquor store involving the theft of high-end alcohol valued at US$1,989
Commissioner Nyathi said the ZRP is not ceding in fighting violent crimes in the country.
"The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that there is no going back in the fight against armed robbery cases in the country...the Police will decisively respond appropriately to any form of violent confrontation by armed robbery gangs," he said.
