A reign of terror orchestrated by two ruthless armed robbery syndicates preying on service stations, lodges, farms and a local mine has come to a dramatic halt following an operation by the police.
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Read E-PaperThe blitzkrieg resulted, in the arrest of seven heavily armed suspects and the recovery of a massive haul of stolen loot.
National Police Spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the dismantling of a six-man gang that had been terrorising Beitbridge, as well as the capture of a separate suspect linked to a violent Chegutu robbery spree.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Clatton Dube (36), Tapiwa Trymore Moyo (38), Philimon Bernard Dambwara (34), Nyasha Muparira (45), Jameson Chikozho (25) and Stanley Shumba (22) in connection with a spate of armed robbery cases which occurred in Beitbridge where service stations and lodges were targeted between 16 h and 21 May 2026,” said Commissioner Nyathi.
The breakthrough in Beitbridge came after detectives received a tip-off that the gang was planning yet another heist on the night of 27 September 2026 at Mfelandawonye.
Police swooped in, arresting Clatton Dube, who immediately implicated his accomplices.
“They proceeded to the area, tracked the suspects and arrested one of the suspects, Clatton Dube, who, upon interviewing, implicated the other suspects leading to their subsequent arrest.”
The suspects led police to the recovery of a terrifying arsenal, including two Blow P29 air pistols fitted with magazines of blank cartridges, one 9mm live round, one 9mm spent cartridge, a metal lever used in the robberies and an Oppo A75 cellphone.
The gang is linked to six counts of armed robbery, including heists at Redan Service Station, Cossy Lodge, and Mother’s Lodge in Shule Shule, where property and cash amounting to ZIG 969,570-00 were stolen.
In a separate but equally violent incident, police in Chegutu apprehended 41-year-old Tawanda Venge, who, alongside three accomplices still at large, unleashed a wave of terror on local farmers and miners.
“On 27 September 2026 Police in Chegutu arrested Venge in connection with four cases of armed robbery which occurred on the same day in Chegutu.
The suspect, together with three accomplices who are still at large, robbed three complainants at Adlui Farm, Rogate Farm and a local mine while armed with machetes and a pistol.
“They stole two cellphones, a power bank, cash and 200kg of gold pregnant carbon,” he said.
