Seven suspected armed robbers allegedly broke into three companies in a coordinated attack in one night, getting away with a total of US$72 440 and R4500.
They were allegedly armed with seven guns.
According to a report made to the police, Zuwai Chamutsakwari was assigned to night duty with two co-workers, Takudzwa Makore and Benjamin Masiya. While patrolling the premises, Chamutsakwari was allegedly approached by seven masked male adults, six of whom were armed with a pistol each whilst the other one had a type of rifle.
The suspects allegedly ordered Chamutsakwari to lie down on the ground, then entered the guard room and tied Makore and Masiya with shoelaces on both legs and hands before carrying them to a nearby ZESA Cabin where they locked them in.
The suspects then allegedly broke the locks on one Caroline Taka’s office door and gained entry. They then used a grinder to break open a safe and stole $26,640 USD. They went on to steal US$1150 and R4500 from drawers.
The suspects also went to one Bruce Milliken’s office and cut the safe with a grinder before stealing US$43,900 in cash. They then allegedly disconnected and stole a CCTV recorder.
Not being done yet, they then allegedly went to one John Wheeler’s office, where they forced open the doors and stole US$750 from a drawer.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Harare provincial spokesperson Luckmore Chakanza confirmed the incident and said investigations are underway.
“On 28 September 2023 at around 2200 hours the informant, who is employed by Time Team Security Company as a security guard was on guard duty at number 36 Douglas Road, Workington, Harare. He was deployed together with his two workmates TAKUDZWA MAKORE aged 25 of 44 Boyd Way Southerton, Harare and BENJAMIN MASIYA aged 61 of 1233 Retreat Park, Waterfalls.
“Whilst patrolling around the premises the informant was approached by seven (07) unknown black male adults who were covering their faces with masks. Six (06) of them were armed with unidentified pistols and the other one was armed with an unknown type of a rifle.
“They ordered the informant to lie down on the ground. They then entered the guard room and tied the other two security guards with shoelaces on both legs and hands. The accused persons carried the informants to a nearby ZESA Cabin where they shoved them.
“The accused persons went on to force open the door of the first complainant’s office by breaking the locks using unknown objects and gained entry. They then used a grinder to break a safe and took $US$26 640. They further opened drawers and stole US$1150 and R4500.
“The accused person entered into the second complainant’s office and they cut the safe using a grinder before stealing cash amounting to US$43 900. They disconnected and stole a CCTV recorder. They proceeded to the third complainant’s office where the accused persons forced open the doors and stole US$750 which was in the drawer.
“The accused persons drove off in an unknown motor vehicle from the premises. The guards later managed to untie themselves and rushed to the next premises where PERCY MPOFU of Black Shark Security assisted them in contacting the Police. The victims did not sustain any serious injuries during the incident.
“Scene was attended by Z.R.P Mbare, CID Homicide and CID Forensic. Fingerprints could not be uplifted from the surfaces as the accused persons were putting on gloves. The Total value stolen is US$72 440 and R4500 and nothing was recovered. The matter was referred to CID Homicide for further management. Investigations are still underway,” reads the docket.
