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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporter 

POLICE have arrested five serial armed robbers who allegedly raided a Filabusi businessman and got away with US$20 660, R72 300 and $1 100 among other valuables during a pre-dawn attack two months ago.

Police identified the suspects as Sindiso Moyo (30), Chargeman Ndlovu (25), Tinomutenda Msipa (37), Phillip Ngwenya (20) and Nomalanga Mahlangu (19) and have linked them with a series of armed robbery cases that occurred between Bulawayo and Gwanda.

In a statement posted on Twitter, police said the five were arrested on Sunday last week in Filabusi.

“The quintet is part of a gang of armed robbers who were robbing people in Filabusi area and along Bulawayo – Gwanda Road. In the case that led to their arrest, they broke into a local businessman’s house and robbed him at gunpoint of US$20 660, R72 300 and $1 100, eight cellphones, laptop and groceries,” reads the statement.

Police said following their arrest they recovered a Toyota Vitz which the armed robbers used as a getaway car, three blankets and groceries.

The armed robbers pounced on Mr Douglas Chitengo, who owns Spacebird Garage in Filabusi while he was sleeping with his family in November armed with three pistols.

Sources at the time said Mr Chitengo tried to resist the armed robbers but they threatened to shoot him and his children if he did not show them where he kept cash until he gave in to their demands.

Meanwhile, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police are profiling gun holders and their weapons.

 “The Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has put in place an initiative whereby firearm holders are profiled by the department’s Ballistic section before acquiring a Firearms Licence or renewing the already existing licence. The process started on 2nd January 2020. The new development by the CID is aimed at profiling and accounting for all fire arms in the country. Firearm holders are to bring their firearms together with three live rounds for the Ballistic Section, which is situated at CID Headquarters along Chinamano Avenue in Harare,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

He said those distant from Harare can approach their local CID offices for assistance. 

“We advise people in Matabeleland South, Bulawayo, Midlands, Matabeleland North and Masvingo and any other province to contact the local CID offices in their areas. The CID offices will act as a link between them and Harare,” he said.

He said the process is being conducted free of charge, encouraging the public to comply with the law.-@nqotshili