Suspects Arrested in Armed Robbery Investigation at BancABC.

Police have apprehended five individuals believed to be behind a string of armed robberies, including an attempted heist at BancABC in Kamativi, Matabeleland North Province.

In a statement issued on August 30, 2024, Commissioner Paul Nyathi of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) named the suspects as Derren Tshuma (25), Proud Gumbo (30), Moyo Tamsanqa (33), Michael Donald Sibanda (26), and Majority Ndlovu (26). The group is linked to five armed robbery incidents that took place in Victoria Falls and Hwange from December 31, 2022, to June 30, 2024.

According to the police statement, the arrests were made following a planned surveillance operation around BancABC on August 27, 2024. Authorities received a tip about a potential robbery at the bank, prompting them to monitor the area. During the operation, a gunshot was fired, and three suspects were observed fleeing the scene. Police quickly pursued them, leading to the capture of Derren Tshuma, from whom a spent cartridge and a stolen National Identification card taken during a garage robbery in Hwange on May 5, 2024 were recovered.

Further investigation led to the arrest of Proud Gumbo at a bus stop near Cross Dete on August 28, 2024. This arrest resulted in the recovery of a Browning pistol and the capture of the remaining suspects: Moyo Tamsanqa, Michael Donald Sibanda, and Majority Ndlovu.

Law enforcement also recovered the getaway vehicles linked to the crimes: a Nissan AD Van (registration AGN 7534) and a Nissan Sunny (registration ACD 5508).

The suspects are connected to several armed robbery cases, including a significant incident at ZB Bank in Victoria Falls on December 31, 2022, where over $15,000 was stolen. Additionally, they are implicated in a robbery at a service station on January 8, 2024, where a security guard was stabbed before cash was taken. Another robbery at a bar in Lwendulu Village, Hwange, on June 2, 2024, involved the theft of cash and cellphones.

The ZRP expressed gratitude to the public for their assistance, which was instrumental in leading to the arrests. They are now seeking information on an outstanding suspect, Mxolisi Sibanda. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the National Complaints desk at (0242) 703631, WhatsApp at 0712 800 197, or to visit the nearest police station.