News / National
Cops recover three AK-47 rifles, ammunition in Beitbridge
13 Sep 2013 at 07:38hrs | Views
POLICE in Beitbridge have recovered three AK-47 rifles and 17 magazines buried at a house in Dulibadzimu suburb in the border town.
The firearms are believed to have been hidden during the country's liberation war.The acting officer commanding Beitbridge district, Superintendent Christopher Chisedze, said the weapons were discovered on Wednesday evening by the owner of the house.
"The firearms were discovered by the owner of house when she became suspicious at the sight of a protruding butt of one of the rifles. She initially thought it was a tree stub until she decided to uproot it leading to the discovery of the hidden firearms and reported to us.
"We then contacted the Zimbabwe National Army bomb disposal unit which came and retrieved three AK-47 rifles and 17 fully charged magazines," said Supt Chisedze.
He said they suspected that the firearms were hidden during the liberation war, adding that investigations were ongoing. ZNA engineers have since combed the area. The firearms were taken by ZNA for safe disposal.
"We urge members of the public to swiftly alert the police should they come across any suspicious objects," said Supt Chisedze.
The owner of the house from which the firearms were discovered, Mrs Sibongile Chongoveza said: "I have been staying in my house since 1999 with my family and we were not aware that there were firearms hidden in our yard. "I noticed the butt of one of the guns a long time ago but I thought it was a tree stub until I decided to remove it on Wednesday.
After digging for about 30 cm I discovered an object resembling a rifle and I became suspicious and alerted the police. I thank God because we could have tempered with the firearms unknowingly and got injured," she said.
The firearms are believed to have been hidden during the country's liberation war.The acting officer commanding Beitbridge district, Superintendent Christopher Chisedze, said the weapons were discovered on Wednesday evening by the owner of the house.
"The firearms were discovered by the owner of house when she became suspicious at the sight of a protruding butt of one of the rifles. She initially thought it was a tree stub until she decided to uproot it leading to the discovery of the hidden firearms and reported to us.
"We then contacted the Zimbabwe National Army bomb disposal unit which came and retrieved three AK-47 rifles and 17 fully charged magazines," said Supt Chisedze.
"We urge members of the public to swiftly alert the police should they come across any suspicious objects," said Supt Chisedze.
The owner of the house from which the firearms were discovered, Mrs Sibongile Chongoveza said: "I have been staying in my house since 1999 with my family and we were not aware that there were firearms hidden in our yard. "I noticed the butt of one of the guns a long time ago but I thought it was a tree stub until I decided to remove it on Wednesday.
After digging for about 30 cm I discovered an object resembling a rifle and I became suspicious and alerted the police. I thank God because we could have tempered with the firearms unknowingly and got injured," she said.
Source - Chronicle
