Zimbabwean Police are on the hunt for four armed robebrs who alledgedly broke into a Harare company’s premises and assaulted security guards, before tying their hands and legs with shoe laces and proceeding to steal cases of rice.
The as yet to be identified assailants allegedly broke into Montello International Trading Company premises by cutting the perimeter fence with a bolt cutter.
The suspects were allegedly also armed with knives and a machete.
Upon gaining entry into the premises, the suspects allegedly attacked four Blue Gold security guards who were station at the premises. They allegedly ordered the security guards to lie down on their stomachs, assaulting one of them before tying their legs with show laces.
The suspects allegedly then asked the guards for the location of the company surf, to which the later professed ignorance. The suspects then allegedly enquired on what the guards were guarding at the premises, to which they were told by one of the alleged victims that there were four trucks loaded with rice within the premises.
After learning of this, the suspects then allegedly left one of their accomplices standing guard over the complainants while the others went on to break the trucks’ tent and reportedly stealing 70 cases of 10 x 2kgs Montello rice valued at US$2 000-00.
Zimbabwe Republic Police Provincial (ZRP) spokesperson for Harare, Luckmore Chakanza, confirmed the incident and sais investigations are in progress.
“On 27 October 2023 around 1800 hours, four Blue Gold security guards namely Elder Karoongwe, Showman Nyamande, Esnath Balangwe and Lazarus Mandebvu commenced duty at Montello International Trade Company. At around 0035 hours on 28 October 2023, all THE complainants were in a guard room when four unknown male adults cut the razor wire from the Southern gate and broke the gate key and gained entry into the company premise.
“The accused persons were armed with a bolt cutter, knives and a machete. The accused person grabbed complainant 2 by the neck and pushed him to the ground. The accused persons took complainant 2’s Itel cellphone, Tecno cellphone and other two small Itel cellphones which were on the chargers.
“The other three complainants were instructed to lie down on their stomachs. The accused persons tied them with shoe laces on both legs. The accused persons asked where the safe was and the complainant stated they had no idea.
“Complainant 2 was then assaulted on his buttocks using an unidentified metal object. The accused persons asked the complainants on their purpose at the company and were told that they were providing security on four trucks loaded with rice. One of the four accused persons was left monitoring the complainants as the other three proceeded to the trucks.
“The three cut the tent of a Howo Truck registration number AFG 6823 with a trailer registration number AFJ 6202. They stole 70 cases of 10 x 2kgs Montello rice all valued at US$2 000-00. Complainant 2 sustained swollen forehead and buttocks. He was referred to Sally Mugabe Hospital for treatment. His condition is stable.
“The other three sustained no injuries. A report was made at ZRP Stodart. Scene was attended and no arrests were made. Total value stolen is US$2 150-00 and nothing was recovered. Investigations are in progress,” reads the docket.
