Intensified manhunt pays off
A SUSPECTED killer and armed robber, wanted by the police on allegations of shooting and killing the 64-year-old father of the man he accused of having an extra marital affair with his wife in South Africa, has been arrested on one charge of murder and three of armed robbery, which include attempted murder allegations.
Police have been looking for Amos George Mutamba ( 34) in connection with three robberies in two of which someone was shot and injured, with the manhunt intensifying last Tuesday when Pitiros Mutero (64) was shot with an unidentified firearm on the chest following an argument and he died on the spot in Mutero Village in Zaka.
Mutamba had claimed that his SA-based wife, Lilias Marinda was having an extra marital affair with Mr Mutero’s son, Kilopas Mutero, in the same country.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said on Sunday detectives from Criminal Investigation Department in Chiredzi heard that Mutamba was at Dorman compound in Hippo Valley selling groceries and property suspected to be stolen. Detectives acted on the tip off and arrested him.
“The arrest led to the recovery of an unregistered Toyota Probox vehicle which had been stolen at Mpamaonde turn off, Bikita, and a Noringo pistol with one round. The suspect and his two other accomplices, who have not yet been arrested, were linked to a murder and three robbery cases,” he said.
He said on September 26, Mutamba and his accomplice allegedly shot Lincolin Rukweza (21) on the arm and stole the Toyota Probox, US$61 and cellphones after being offered a lift at Chikuku Business Centre. The next day, Mutamba and his accomplices pounced on two shop owners and their employees at Neshuro Growth Point in Mwenezi where they stole R21 000, US$400 and two cellphones. They also shot a security guard on the hand.
“On Wednesday last week, the day after the Mutero Village killing, Mutamba and his accomplices hit N and R Supermarket and Mukuru booth at Rutenga Business Centre, where they stole US$8 795, $21 460 and R100 000 as well as three cellphones, Asst Comm Nyathi said.
He said they have since launched a manhunt. Police believe the other two suspects may have fled into a neighbouring country.
Meanwhile, a brave passenger helped police arrest Christopher Nukarume (38) and Raymond Dirwai (43) who are facing allegations of kidnapping and robbery along the Harare- Bulawayo Road near Whitehouse last Friday.
The two suspects who were travelling in a Mazda Bongo vehicle (AET 9775) offered a lift to seven people in Kuwadzana who were going to Granary, Riddleridge Park and Whitecliff.
It is alleged that along the way the suspects demanded cash and valuables from the victims while refusing to drop them off at their destinations.
“One of the complainants surrendered a cellphone while the other complainant grabbed the handbrake and the vehicle stopped, leading to the arrest of the suspects,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.