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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
TWO armed robbers masquerading as foreign currency dealers allegedly pounced on a Beitbridge man in Masvingo and robbed him of R310,000, which he intended to change to dollars.Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Peter Zhanero said the suspects, who are still at large, disappeared after committing the crime on Sunday at around 10am.

He said: “I confirm receiving a report of armed robbery involving R310,000 which happened in town yesterday (Sunday). The suspects are on the run and police have since launched a manhunt.”

Insp Zhanero said the victim, Wellington Chibaya, 32, of Dulibadzimu suburb arrived in Masvingo on Sunday mid-morning with the intention of changing the money he had into United States dollars.

“Upon arriving in Masvingo at around 10am, Chibaya phoned a foreign currency dealer whom he knew. The dealer allegedly told him that he was home and instructed him to go to a shop along Hebert Chitepo Street where he would board the car delivering some goods to his house in Mucheke F, where he purported to be,” he said.

Upon arriving at the shop, Insp Zhanero said, Chibaya saw a Toyota Vitz vehicle which was parked outside and had two occupants, the driver and one passenger at the back seat.

He said the pair called Chibaya and told him that they had been instructed to drive him to Mucheke F where he was going to meet the foreign currency dealer.

“When Chibaya got into the car he sat on the front passenger seat. Within a short space of time after getting into the car, the man seated at the back tied him with a shoelace before striking him on the head using a pistol,” Insp Zhanero said.

He added: “The man then searched him and took away all the money. The driver then started the engine and drove to Mbudzi residential area near Runyararo West and on the way they picked a third man. When they arrived at Mbudzi, they tied Chibaya’s hands and legs before blindfolding him using the T-shirt he was wearing. They then dumped him before disappearing.”

Chibaya was seen by a passersby struggling to free himself from the tied shoelaces and was rescued.  He was taken to Chesvingo Police Post where he made a formal report.

“Police detectives from Chikato Police Station attended the scene but the suspects had disappeared. We appeal to members of the public who may have information to assist in bringing the culprits to book,” said Insp Zhanero.