Robber gunned down, two arrested
POLICE shot and killed one suspected robber while two others were injured following a shootout at Ngundu growth point in Masvingo province on Wednesday this week.
According to a leaked police memorandum seen by Southern Eye, one of the suspected robbers escaped.
The police internal memo released on the day of the shootout says police arrested Brian Jazi (36) of house number 1608 Gimboki, Dangamvura, Mutare and Joseph Makuvise (43) from Makuvise village under Chief Mataruse, Gutu, Masvingo.
Police identified the deceased as Pardon Shoko (36) from Mberengwa, but resident in the Gomba area, Runyararo West, Masvingo.
“This memorandum serves to put on record that on the 14th day of February 2024 at 1405 hours and at Ngundu growth point, Masvingo Central District Police Intelligence operatives and Support Unit details arrested the following accused persons for armed robberies as defined in section 126 of the Criminal Law [Codification and Reform] Act [Chapter 9:23],” the memo read.
“Circumstances surrounding the case are that, for the period extending from the month of June 2023 to date, Masvingo province has been hard hit by an upsurge of armed robberies and that prompted Masvingo Central District crack team to gather more intelligence related to armed robberies,” the memo further read.
It further reveals that ZRP Intelligence operatives gathered information that the suspected robbers planned to commit an armed robbery in Chiredzi during the night.
“Further information received had it that the accused persons were linked to several armed robberies which were committed in Masvingo and usually use a Toyota RunX registration number ADP 9599 silver in colour. It was also revealed that the accused persons were going to meet at Ngundu growth point,” the memo said.
Acting on the information, police set up an eight-member crack team supported by marksman from the Support Unit who trailed the suspects.
According to the memo, after splitting into two groups, the advance team spotted the suspects’ vehicle parked at Ngundu and alerted their colleagues.
The suspects, unaware that they were under surveillance, decided to go to a shop, but were intercepted and ordered to lie down.
The suspected robbers reportedly resisted and Shoko reached for his firearm, but was hit on the chest by the back-up team and died on the spot.
“The police officers managed to arrest the accused persons and recovered the pistol which was loaded with two live rounds, one round in the magazine and the other in the chamber,” the memo added.
Shoko was rushed to Ngundu Clinic, where he was pronounced dead.
Jazi was wearing an artificial dreadlock wig covered with a woollen hat as disguise, while they had implements associated with robberies.
According to the memo, the suspects are linked to a number of cases including cases recorded at ZRP Chikato, an armed robbery which occurred at Redan Pangolin Service Station, an armed robbery which occurred in Mucheke D and another case which took place at ZEXCOM, all in Masvingo.