In a bold and brazen attempt, five young men aged between 21 and 25 were arrested for orchestrating a highway robbery along the Harare-Masvingo road in Zimbabwe on Sunday. The suspects, identified as Richard Banda (23), Tawananyasha Nyengerai (21), Lionel Chipenzi (25), Harrison Chiinge (24), and Calos Muwani (23), were accused of stealing a staggering US$193,900 and a cellphone from a Toyota Hiace vehicle traveling from Bulawayo to Harare.
According to National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the suspects posed as police officers and stopped the vehicle, snatching the bag containing the money and the cellphone before fleeing in their getaway car, a Nissan Note with registration number AGN 2303. However, the swift action of the police detectives led to the arrest of Richard Banda, who then implicated his cousin Tawananyasha Nyengerai and the other suspects, resulting in their apprehension.
The arrests led to the recovery of US$100,442 in cash, a significant portion of the stolen funds. Commissioner Nyathi praised the police crack teams for their swift and effective response, stating, “We will ensure that all robbery syndicates and those who leak information on their employer’s financial status and movements are brought to book.”
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for heightened security measures and vigilance on Zimbabwe’s roads, as criminal elements continue to target unsuspecting travelers. The successful arrests of the suspects demonstrate the dedication and professionalism of the Zimbabwean police force in combating such brazen acts of highway robbery.
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