Police Crackdown Nets Robbery Suspects as Kadoma Murder Hunt Intensifies

Harare/Gweru — Police have arrested several suspected armed robbers in connection with a string of violent crimes across Zimbabwe, while investigations continue into a series of robberies and two murders in Kadoma involving suspects who remain at large.

In the latest developments, Shephered Gundani and Edson Sithole were arrested in connection with armed robberies at Insukamini Farm in Lower Gweru on September 23, while Tendai Nzvenga (39) was arrested in Bulawayo over three separate armed robbery cases in Harare and Kwekwe.

Police in Bindura have also arrested Godfrey Chakawa (27), Bwana Jumbe (42), and Tombstone Gangata (34) over an armed robbery at a mine, while detectives are hunting four men linked to two murders and two armed robberies in the Doneni and Battlefields areas of Kadoma.

Police national spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said Gundani and Sithole were arrested after allegedly taking part in a violent raid in Lower Gweru alongside accomplices who are still at large.

“The suspects, along with accomplices who are yet to be arrested, were armed with pistols, machetes and knives when they allegedly raided three homesteads in Lower Gweru,” Commissioner Nyathi said.

The suspects allegedly threatened and assaulted victims before stealing cash, several cellphones, a Toyota Fortuner and other valuables worth approximately US$60 000.

The stolen Toyota Fortuner was recovered on September 25 in Chivi after being abandoned, with police finding a machete and other items concealed beneath the driver's seat.

Following the arrests, police say recovered are machetes, knives, torches and other items of evidential value from the suspects' respective residences.

Commissioner Nyathi said investigations had since linked the two suspects to other armed robbery cases reported in Lalapanzi, Mvuma and Masvingo.

Meanwhile, police are hunting four male suspects over two murders and two armed robberies committed in Doneni and Battlefields, Kadoma, between September 30 and October 1.

The suspects allegedly raided a homestead in Village 1, Doneni, where they shot and killed a 24-year-old man.

They allegedly proceeded to a nearby homestead, where they shot and killed a dog before robbing occupants of cash and two cellphones valued at approximately US$450.

The gang later proceeded to Swerengoma Mine, where they allegedly attacked two complainants and demanded cash and gold; one of the victims later died.

“One of the complainants was shot and later succumbed to his injuries,” police said.

The bodies of the two victims were conveyed to Kadoma District Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations.

Police have appealed to anyone with information that may lead to the identification and arrest of the four suspects to report at the nearest police station or contact the National Complaints Desk on 0242 703631 or WhatsApp 0712800197.

In Bulawayo, detectives from CID Homicide arrested Nzvenga on September 30 after receiving information that he was hiding in Mpopoma.

Police said Nzvenga is linked to three armed robbery cases, including a raid at N. Richards Shop in Graniteside, Harare, where cash and valuables worth US$38 316, ZAR1 950 and ZIG74 370 were allegedly stolen.

A second robbery occurred in Marlborough, Harare, where cash and valuables worth approximately US$597 000 were reportedly stolen.

The third case occurred at a cement company in Redcliff, Kwekwe, where cash and valuables worth approximately US$600 612 were reportedly stolen.

“During the interviews, the suspect implicated other suspects, including Dingani Mopfu (49) and Witness Hlongwane (40) who were arrested earlier and remanded in custody,” Commissioner Nyathi said.

In a separate case in Bindura, police arrested Chakawa, Jumbe and Gangata over an armed robbery at a mine.

The trio, together with three accomplices who remain at large, allegedly attacked two security guards and stole approximately 300kgs of pregnant carbon on September 25 at about 1am.

The three suspects have since appeared before the Bindura Magistrates Court and were remanded in custody.

Commissioner Nyathi said investigations into the various cases are continuing, with detectives pursuing suspects still at large and working to recover stolen property.

The developments come as police intensify investigations into armed robbery networks operating across different parts of the country, with suspects arrested in some cases being linked to a chain of offences through ongoing investigations.