BY HARRIET CHIKANDIWA
Four suspected armed robbers, including a rogue cop, were killed in a shoot-out during a fierce gun battle with police in Harare’s central business district on Friday evening.
Constable Kudzai Kanjera (41) from Zimbabwe Republic Police, Hatfield, Admire Nhetekwa (26), Brian Chibaya (37) from Chitungwiza and Tatenda Chari (35), from Waterfalls died in the shoot-out during a foiled robbery.
Tichaona Kariwa (33) of Domboshava and Blessing Bheura (age not given) from Chitungwiza were arrested.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the death of four robbers and arrest of two others in a shoot-out incident which occurred at Number 110, Mbuya Nehanda Street, Harare, on 19th February 2021 at 1800 hours,” national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said.
“The police received a tip-off of the gang’s intention to rob the complainant, Chris Chibueze Agu, and organised an ambush.
“The complainant entered his shop to collect a battery for his customer which he had forgotten and suddenly, the suspects, who were armed with pistols and a 0.22 Magnum revolver, pounced on him and robbed him of US$10 000 cash.
“Police reached the scene resulting in the shoot-out. The stolen cash was recovered, including the 0.22 mm Magnum revolver and a pistol.”
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The matter was reported at Harare Central Police Station under IR 020645.
Agu told the police that he received a phone call from a customer, who indicated that he wanted a solar battery.
He told the customer that he was going to put the battery in his motor vehicle and deliver it at around 6pm.
However, Agu realised that he had left the battery at his shop and went back to his office with the intention of switching off a computer.
He was suddenly approached by six men, who were armed with four pistols and a 0,22mm Magnum.
The robbers ordered Agu to lie down and he complied.
“One of the accused persons grabbed the safe keys and opened the safe,” police said.
“He took cash amounting to US$10 000 from the complainant’s safe and that is when the complainant heard some gunshots outside the shop and four of the accused persons bolted out of the shop.
“The complainant later realised that there were some detectives who were outside the shop who had attacked and arrested the accused persons as a result of the shooting incident.”
The report added: “The complainant later learnt that all the six accused persons had been shot and arrested at the shop entrance and that is where he picked US$10 000, which was dropped by the accused persons during the shooting incident.
“All the cash stolen was recovered.”
Armed robbery cases involving members of the security forces have been on the increase with a number of them having been arrested.
