Three Arrested in Ruwa US$108k Heist
Police have arrested three man, Tinei Makaripe, Pungurayi Mukumbachaza and Gabriel Mukambachaza in connection with armed robberies, including USD 108 000 theft in Ruwa. Other accomplices still at large.
Delicious Mathuthu 
Harare — The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) yesterday, 15 September 2026, arrested three suspects in connection with a series of armed robbery cases that occurred in Ruwa, Rusape and Harare.
The suspects have been identified as Tinei Makaripe (47), Pungurayi Mukumbachaza (age not given) and Gabriel Mukambachaza (41).
National Police Spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi said on 13 September 2026 at around 12:30am, the suspects and their accomplices, who remain at large, allegedly attacked a company at Borders Estate in Ruwa.
They restrained company workers and stole US$108 000 in cash.
As the group fled, one of the robbers, Makaripe, was apprehended by workers after he fell while attempting to scale the perimeter wall.
He was handed over to the police.
Detectives later arrested Pungurayi Mukumbachaza in Damofalls Phase 1, Harare, and recovered US$4 900 that had been hidden in his vehicle.
Gabriel Mukambachaza was arrested at his rural home in Rusape.
Detectives recovered US$5 000, two pistols, a Star pistol loaded with one round and a Tokarev pistol loaded with seven rounds, as well as handcuffs, fuse cables, explosives and three balaclavas.
Police established that the recovered Tokarev pistol had been stolen during an armed robbery at a steel company in Southerton on 12 March 2026.
The three suspects are also being linked to four other armed robbery cases.
The robberies include an incident at a beverages company in Rusape on 26 January 2026 in which US$39 828 in cash, a Star pistol loaded with five rounds, pepper spray, handcuffs and three cellphones were stolen.
Another linked robbery was at a steel company along Tilbury Road, Southerton, Harare, on 12 March 2026 in which US$14 118 in cash was taken.
Police identified the suspects’ accomplices as nicknamed Khule Diva, Mambo Dhuterere (not the musician), Kasongo and Senior Gama, who are on the run.
In a separate appeal, Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police is seeking information on a murder and armed robbery that occurred near a service station along JMN Nkomo Street, between Fourth and Third Avenue, Bulawayo, on 14 September 2026.
Three unidentified suspects shot and killed Tadius Rutanhire (52) with a pistol before fleeing with his bag containing US$10 000.
Rutanhire, a businessperson, had just closed his shop and was walking towards his son’s vehicle, which had come to collect him.
Commissioner Nyathi said anyone with information is urged to report to the nearest police station or contact the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp 0712 800 197.
