Mutare school robbed
EIGHT daring armed robbers pounced on Mount Dangare Primary School in Mutare District and assaulted a security guard before stealing a safe which contained US$41 and $2 000, while a shopkeeper in Chimanimani lost groceries and US$200 in two robbery incidents that happened last Friday.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incidents and said all the suspects vanished soon after committing the acts.
In the first incident that happened at Mount Dangare Primary School in Piki Village, Zimunya, eight unknown robbers pounced on a security guard, Mr Kuratidza Machiri (67) who was doing perimeter checks.
The robbers grabbed and shoved him into a classroom.
They took away his cellphone and tied his hands and legs with shoelaces.
Five of the suspects went into the administration block and classrooms, while the rest of the suspects guarded Mr Machiri.
“They stole a safe which had US$41 and $2 000 before disappearing into the darkness. Mr Machiri screamed for help and the school head, Mr Mauswa Jonakisi, came to his rescue. After carrying out investigations, police discovered a vandalised safe a few metres away from the school,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
In another incident which happened in Masukuta Village in Chimanimani, two robbers who were armed with two unknown objects broke into a shop.
The noise drew the attention of Mr Gift Mushayambeu who was sleeping in the shop.
Mr Mushayambeu tried to fight the suspects with an okapi knife but the robbers tied his hands and legs with a mosquito net. They stole an assortment of groceries and US$200.
They vanished soon after committing the crime and Mr Mushayambeu managed to untie himself minutes later.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka appealed to members of the public who might have information leading to the arrest of the suspects to come forward.
“We have launched a manhunt to bring the culprits to book. We continue to urge people to always have contact details of officers-incharge or police officers stationed at their nearest police stations so that they may get assistance in time.
“We are also urging schools and other institutions that usually keep large sums of money to bank the funds regularly, especially as schools re-opening as keeping money onsite may attract robbers,” said for Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.