Armed robbers pounce on ZAOGA church

Police in Marondera are hunting for four armed robbers who stormed ZAOGA provincial headquarters, kidnapped pastors and other members and blew off two safes before making off with more than US$4000 cash and mobile phones.

The unknown suspects took resident Pastor Allias Jokota (31) and his family hostage before ransacking the premises.

Mashonaland East Provincial  Acting Police Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed the incident.

According to the police, on April 18 at around 2200hrs, Pastor Jokota was in his house sleeping when four unknown person forced open the door and gained entry into the house.

Three of the accused entered the house while the other one remained at the door on guard.

It is reported that while inside, the accused persons rounded up everyone, tied their hands using neck ties and clothes. They took two cellphones from Pastor Jokota's family members.

It is said that after hearing the noise and cries from the Pastor's house, Edmore Makause (36), a caretaker at the church went to check, but upon reaching the veranda he met the three accused persons who were armed with beer bottles and iron bars.

The accused then manhandled Makause and led him into the house where everyone was and had his hands tied with a neck tie.

The three accused, then force-marched Pastor Jokota to the church secretary's office where a money safe was located.

They forcefully gained entry into the office and used suspected dynamites to blow the safe before taking cash amounting to US$3500 which was packed in envelopes.

They also force-marched Pastor Jokota to the youth secretary's office where they blew another safe and took cash amounting to US$600.

They  proceeded to Makause's house and took $60 and a Samsung Galaxy phone.

They returned Pastor Jokota to his house and tied him again before ordering him to lie down on his stomach.

They then locked the people from outside and went away with the keys.

Pastor Jokota and Makause managed to free themselves and got out through the window and made a report at Marondera Central Police station.

The total value stolen is US$4350 and nothing was recovered.