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Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
A FILABUSI businessman has lost $800 and a radio to armed robbers he had invited to his home after they tricked him that they wanted to sell him some gold.

Mr Joseph Khumalo (47) of Kiosk Compound was phoned by the armed robbers on Sunday and they told him that they wanted to sell gold to him and he agreed to meet them.

Hours later at about 7PM, the armed robbers arrived at his house for the alleged deal.

Once inside his house, they turned on him and tied his hands. The armed robbers then searched him and ransacked his house, making off with $800 and a radio.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the armed robbery.

He said investigations were underway and no arrests have been made yet in connection with the matter.

“Three unidentified armed robbers attacked a man at his home and took away $800 and a radio. One of them held a gun outside the house, guarding, while his accomplices robbed the victim. No arrests have been made yet and we are appealing to members of the public who may have any information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact the police,” he said.

Insp Ndebele warned people against engaging in illegal deals.

“Miners should learn to sell their minerals at designated places like Fidelity Printers and not engage in backyard deals because these tend to be dangerous at the end of the day.

“Many such cases have resulted in robberies, injuries and loss of life as robbers target people knowing they have cash with them,” said Insp Ndebele.

A source who preferred anonymity said Mr Khumalo received an anonymous phone call from a person who pretended that he was selling gold.

“He received a phone call again saying the trader was on his way. Later, three unidentified men arrived at his home and presented themselves as the ones who had called earlier about a gold deal. Before he could settle down for the deal, two of them grabbed him by the neck while the other one produced a gun and guarded the door.

“They tied his hands behind his back using a rope. They then searched his pockets and took $800 that he had in his pockets. They proceeded to search his house and took a radio. They quickly fled into the darkness,” he said.

In December, a mine-owner in Gwanda was kidnapped, tortured and shot in both legs before being robbed of his car by his former employee who was in the company of three others. The former worker had earlier called him claiming that he had about 200 grammes of gold that he wanted to sell.

Once they met, the suspect who was in the company of three other men attacked him.

After giving them $1 300 after they had demanded $20 000, the robbers shot him twice and fled.

The vehicle was recovered a few kilometres from the crime scene on the following day.

His attackers are still on the run.

@winnie_masara