Armed Robbery Mastermind Nabbed

Police have arrested the suspected mastermind behind a wave of armed robberies that terrorised Mahatshula suburb for nearly five months, after a video of him trying to break into a house went viral on social media.

Joseph Phiri (28) was taken into custody yesterday following an intensive manhunt.

He is accused of orchestrating nine separate armed robberies between 15 December 2025 and 13 May 2026, seven with one gang, then two more with a fresh syndicate after his first set of accomplices were jailed.

National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the breakthrough, describing Phiri’s evolving tactics.

“The suspect initially teamed up with Challenge Lucky Neta (38), Trust Adam Mubvumbi (35) and Wellington Nyakurima alias Dombadomba (33) to commit seven cases of robbery by attacking victims with knives, sjamboks, while armed with pistols.”

Those three accomplices were later arrested and are now remanded at Khami Prison. Undeterred, Phiri formed a new gang.

“He teamed up with Pauros Hadebe alias Mengezi, Oscar Ndlovu alias Mao and Jomo Chomu to attack complainants in Mahatshula East,” said Commissioner Nyathi.

The breakthrough came after a dramatic incident in Mahatshula East where a resident’s camera captured Phiri in action.

“In one of the incidents, a video went viral on social media as the suspect who was wearing a maroon and grey bucket hat and grey jacket tried to break into a house.”

Police are now hunting Phiri’s three latest accomplices who are Pauros Hadebe, Oscar Ndlovu or Jomo Chomu