'Armed robber' walks into police station after failing to nurse gunshot wound

A suspect involved in an armed robbery, who was shot in the rib cage by security guards during the heist in Waterfalls, Harare, reportedly walked into a police station and provided false information, claiming he had been attacked by four unidentified men, according to court proceedings on Wednesday.

The accused, identified as Godfrey Magadu, 31, hailing from Chemhondoro in Murewa, was unable to seek medical attention for his injury as hospitals turned him away, requiring a police report, as per the prosecution's account.

Under the alias "Franklyin Mubaiwa," Magadu went to a police station in Southlea Park on October 23 and falsely asserted that he had been assaulted by unknown individuals in Hopely, who subsequently fled after shooting him.

Sergeant Luke Deza, the officer on duty, accepted his account and issued a medical treatment request form, directing him to Sally Mugabe Hospital for care. Later, he was transferred to Parirenyatwa Hospital.

However, within hours, detectives investigating the robbery at Chemical Merchants Company linked Magadu to the crime, leading to his arrest.

Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa ordered his remand in custody while he was still in the hospital.

Magadu is facing charges of armed robbery and knowingly providing false information to a public official.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, Magadu and his accomplices, armed with three shotguns, forcibly entered Chemical Merchants Company in Waterfalls and attempted to rob the establishment.

They confronted security guards Given Nyakarare and Samson Mupandawana, who were employed by Gurus Security Company and armed with a revolver. The confrontation ensued with Mupandawana being taken into one of the offices, where he was assaulted in an attempt to extract information about the location of cash and valuables. However, Mupandawana managed to escape and hide behind the offices.

The robbers then spotted Nyakarare outside and approached him. Nyakarare fired two shots at the robbers as they approached him.

One of the robbers sustained a minor injury on the forehead from a bullet graze, while Magadu suffered a gunshot wound to the rib cage but escaped with the others.

The assailants left one of their firearms behind and later abandoned Magadu about a kilometer from the crime scene before fleeing.

In severe pain, Magadu went to the police station with a fabricated narrative, claiming to be a victim.