The Zimbabwe Republic Police says it has arrested Ex-Constable Francis Takura (33) and Private Virimai Nyandoro (37) of the Zimbabwe National Army who escaped from Chadcombe on the night of 6th December 2021.
The Police has also identified the three suspects who were shot dead through the National Fingerprints Bureau and the Police Scenes of Crime experts as Brian Koga Tendere (38), of Chikupo Village, Murewa; Charles Chirara (30), of number 573 Ushewokunze, Harare and Tariro Gora (21), of 1 Commando Barracks, Harare, police said in a statement.
“Police recovered a long bar shifting spanner, five screw drivers, short bar spirit level, wheel spanner, pliers, AK47 magazine loaded with 17×7.62 mm live rounds, 12x 7.62 mm spent cartridges and a Norinco Pistol with a magazine of six rounds at the scene of crime.
“Investigations by Police so far have revealed that the Norinco pistol was stolen through robbery on 5th November 2021 at a house along Bishop Gaul Avenue, Harare,” the statement reads.
Police say further investigations led to the recovery of a 22 rifle fitted with a telescopic sight, a 303 rifle, an AK 47 magazine loaded with 25 live rounds, 303 rifle magazine loaded with seven live rounds hidden in Tariro Gora’s room.
Police have also established that Francis Takura was discharged from the Police Support Unit in year 2018. Brian Koga Tendere was recently released from prison after serving a ten year sentence for a robbery case which occurred in Borrowdale, Harare, in year 2011.
“Charles Chirara was on bail pending trial for the ZB Bank robbery involving US$2 775 000.00 and ZWL$40 000.00 cash in-transit which occurred in Nyabira on 6th January 2021, while Tariro Gora was a rogue soldier who escaped from duty with a service rifle.
“The gang is linked to a spate of armed robbery cases in and around Harare with one complainant (50) identifying his stolen shoes through the suspects’ pictures which trended on social media.
“Meanwhile, The Police applauds the public for the cooperation given in fighting robbery cases in the country,” Police national spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said.