News / National
Gunmen pounce on bus crew
02 Oct 2013 at 15:52hrs | Views
FOUR armed men reportedly pounced on a Zupco bus crew and its passengers, robbing them of cash and property with a combined value of $1 749 at gun point along the Masvingo-Mutare road, on Monday.
Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Peter Zhanero said the incident occurred at about 7pm.
He said the four disappeared into the darkness after committing the offence and are still at large.
"I can confirm receiving a robbery incident which occurred at Roy Business Centre on Monday evening. The suspects disappeared after committing the offence but the long arm of the law will catch up with them. We have since launched a manhunt," said Insp Zhanero.
He said on the day in question, Mr Fuyana Moyo (45) of 430 Old Magwegwe in Bulawayo was driving a Zupco bus to Mutare.
"On reaching Roy Business Centre at the 42km peg along Masvingo-Mutare Road, he stopped to drop some passengers. When the passengers dropped, four men masquerading as genuine passengers got onto the bus.
"After the bus had travelled for a few kilometres, the quartet ordered the conductor and passengers to lie down. One of them produced a pistol and proceeded to Mr Moyo, the driver before ordering him to switch off the ignition. He also ordered him to surrender all the money in his possession," said Insp Zhanero.
Mr Moyo complied with the directive and stopped the bus after which he surrendered the R200 that he had.
"While the armed suspect was demanding money from the driver,the other accomplices were searching passengers from whom they got cellphones, Xtell and Samsung worth $897. However the conductor tried to resist surrendering the money only to give in when the one who was armed threatened to shoot him," he said.
He said the conductor surrendered the $450 that he had collected as bus fare from passengers.
"The suspects disembarked and ordered the driver to drive off. While outside the armed suspects fired one shot at the bus which sailed through into the roof but no one was injured," he said.
The bus crew then drove to Farmers Hall police base where they reported the matter.
"After reporting,police comprising detectives, support unit and the dog section went to the scene to investigate. They however found the suspects long gone from the scene," he said.
Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Peter Zhanero said the incident occurred at about 7pm.
He said the four disappeared into the darkness after committing the offence and are still at large.
"I can confirm receiving a robbery incident which occurred at Roy Business Centre on Monday evening. The suspects disappeared after committing the offence but the long arm of the law will catch up with them. We have since launched a manhunt," said Insp Zhanero.
He said on the day in question, Mr Fuyana Moyo (45) of 430 Old Magwegwe in Bulawayo was driving a Zupco bus to Mutare.
"On reaching Roy Business Centre at the 42km peg along Masvingo-Mutare Road, he stopped to drop some passengers. When the passengers dropped, four men masquerading as genuine passengers got onto the bus.
"After the bus had travelled for a few kilometres, the quartet ordered the conductor and passengers to lie down. One of them produced a pistol and proceeded to Mr Moyo, the driver before ordering him to switch off the ignition. He also ordered him to surrender all the money in his possession," said Insp Zhanero.
Mr Moyo complied with the directive and stopped the bus after which he surrendered the R200 that he had.
"While the armed suspect was demanding money from the driver,the other accomplices were searching passengers from whom they got cellphones, Xtell and Samsung worth $897. However the conductor tried to resist surrendering the money only to give in when the one who was armed threatened to shoot him," he said.
He said the conductor surrendered the $450 that he had collected as bus fare from passengers.
"The suspects disembarked and ordered the driver to drive off. While outside the armed suspects fired one shot at the bus which sailed through into the roof but no one was injured," he said.
The bus crew then drove to Farmers Hall police base where they reported the matter.
"After reporting,police comprising detectives, support unit and the dog section went to the scene to investigate. They however found the suspects long gone from the scene," he said.
Source - Byo24News
