Armed robber dies fleeing police over R1 million robbery

by Staff reporter

2012 May 03 18:56:18 | 2568 Views

HARARE - A convicted armed robber recently released from prison, Paradzai Mupange, died in a car accident during a running battle with the police who were investigating a one million rand robbery in Belvedere on Friday.

Para Niggers, as he is popularly referred to by peers in Mbare, was part of a gang of armed robbers who included the notorious Elisha Manhanga.

Manhanga is detained at Harare Central Police Station. According to highly-placed sources who preferred anonymity, luck ran out for the armed robbers after suspicious police pounced on them.

"After they left Belvedere, they headed towards the National Sports Stadium where they intended to share the money but police suspected their movements and followed them. When they realised the police were onto them, they panicked and Para drove off at high speed and crashed," the source, who is close to the dead robber, said.

Para, who had been released from prison four months ago, died on the spot. The resourceful police then recovered some money from the vehicle. The Daily News heard how the police then informed his brother Lecture about the accident.

"Lecture told the police that the money in the car was his and the police took him into custody because the gun used for the robbery was registered in his name," the source said.

Efforts to obtain comment from the police where fruitless as Harare provincial spokesperson James Sabau professed ignorance on the matter.

"Unfortunately, no one has contacted me about the case. I am not in the office right now but when I get back to the office, I will verify the details," Sabau said.

However, the Daily News has it on good authority that the matter is being handled by the homicide department and Lecture and Manhanga may appear in court today. A highly-placed source confirmed that Manhanga was indeed in police custody over the alleged robbery.

"Elisha was initially detained at a police station in Highfield but he has since been moved to Harare Central but we expect him to appear in court tomorrow (today)," the source said.

Armed Robber Robbery Fleeing Police

Source: news