Blessing Nduku
Mukuru outlets have become a breeding ground for armed robbers with the latest incident being that of three unidentified men who pounced on the money transfer agent company in Mkoba 6 on the 19th of June 2024 at around 0730hours walking away with USD21 544.00 and ZAR14 400 South African Rand.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Midlands Provincial Liaison Officer Inspector Mahoko confirmed the incident.
“Police in the Midlands Province are investigating an armed robbery of cash, USD21 544.00 and ZAR14 400 South African Rand from a Mukuru Money Transfer Agent Company shop Mkoba 6 business center Gweru on 19 June 2024 at around 0730 hours,” said Mahoko
Circumstances were that two of the company’s employees arrived at their workplace and before they could open three unknown men wearing masks entered the shop saying they wanted help.
“On the fateful day, the company’s employees Munyaradzi Nhuruza (35) and Lincoln Nyachowa (33) arrived at their workplace. Before they could open the shop, three unknown men wearing masks entered the shop saying they wanted help and were told that the shop was not yet open. One of the men allegedly went on to drag Nyachowa and force-marched him towards the safe where his colleague was counting money.”
Insp Mahoko said the intruders produced a pistol and ordered the employees to surrender all the money they were counting as well as to open the safe and run away.
“One of the intruders produced a pistol ordering the two employees to surrender all the money they were counting and open the safe. They also ordered the complainants to lie down and robbed them of USD21544.00 and ZAR14 400 South African Rand. After committing the offense, the suspects ran away.”
However, this is not the first time Mukuru outlets have been robbed as last year two armed robbers pounced on a Mukuru outlet in Entumbane and allegedly stole a safe box with USD 10,000.
The incident occurred around 7 am at koNhliziyo Shopping Centre when the two robbers entered the Mlungu Dealer shop and fired a shot at the ground ordering everyone inside to lie down.
Also, three armed robbers in 2022 raided a lower Gweru Mukuru outlet and walked away with USD 27 000 and R 66 000 rands only to be arrested a few hours after committing the crime. The incident has resulted in a lot of people expressing concern over the security features of Mukuru outlets.
Meanwhile, a confectionery Company [Bakers Inn] employee was robbed of cash, USD$582.00, at gunpoint on 18 June 2024 at around 1600 hours.
He added that Calvin Maphosa was making a follow-up on his company’s daily bread sales when he was approached by three unknown men who said they had a business.
“The complainant Calvin Maphosa (26) of Claymont Park in Gweru was making a follow-up on his company’s daily bread sales customers when he was approached by three unknown men who were in an unregistered silver Ford Ranger Twin Cab motor vehicle.”
“The three claimed to have opened a new retail shop at the business center. They told him they had a business proposal of being supplied bread at their shop.”
“During the conversation, they invited the complainant closer to their vehicle purporting that they wanted to show him the shop. When he complied, one of the suspects who was in the back seat produced a pistol and ordered him to get into the car without raising the alarm. Fearing for his life he got into the car and they drove towards Bristol Road. While in the moving vehicle, the suspects took turns to assault the complainant with a pistol butt and iron rod all over the body,” he said.
Mahoko said, “Upon reaching Mkoba 9 turn off, they robbed him of cash amounting toUSD$582.00 and a cellphone before pushing him out of the moving vehicle. He fell into a drainage and became unconscious. Total value stolen is USD$650.00.”
The police are appealing to the members of the public who might know these culprits from the two incidents to contact any nearest police station.
“We are appealing to members of the public who might know these culprits to contact any police station.”
