News / Local
Four arrested for armed robbery and rape
17 Sep 2013 at 12:01hrs | Views
POLICE in Bulawayo have arrested four men for allegedly committing a series of armed robberies and rape in the last eight months.
The four have been identified as Andile Nyoni (19) and Holy Ziweya (20) of Entumbane Suburb and brothers, Melusi (21) and Ephraim Ngwenya (24) of Mpopoma.
According to sources close to the investigation, the four were arrested on Sunday.
"The four, using a vehicle belonging Melusi as a pirate taxi, would go around the city picking up passengers at undesignated pick-up points at night. They would drive to secluded spots and then rob the passengers at knife point. Sometimes they used iron bars, knob kerries and other weapons to instill fear in their victims. Sometimes, they would strip and rape female passengers," said one of the sources.
"Given their ages, what they were doing is very shocking. They robbed people of cash, cellphones, laptops, i-pads, cameras and many other things. We suspect that they have been doing this for at least eight months, beginning in February this year."
Another source said the four men would sell their loot at give away prices to members of the public or backyard electric gadgets dealers.
The source said the gang picked up passengers from places that included Mac' Garage, Ascot, 6th Avenue Extension and Simon Parirenyatwa street.
Contacted for comment, police spokesperson for Bulawayo, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo confirmed the incident.
"We have arrested four suspects in connection with armed robberies and rape cases. The suspects allegedly used a vehicle to pick passengers whom they would later rob," said Inspector Moyo.
He declined to describe the vehicle saying it would jeopardise investigations. "As police, we are inviting possible victims who may not have made a report to come and identify the suspects. They may have to point them out in an identification parade and they may also need to identify their vehicle," said Insp Moyo.
The police spokesperson said members of the public who may have been victims of the gang should visit the Licence Inspectorate at Drill Hall Police Station, to make reports or identify their property from goods that were recovered from the gang.
He urged residents to use designated pick up points for public transport to avoid falling prey to criminals.
Insp Moyo said residents should develop a habit of putting secret identifying marks on their property to make it easier to claim, when police recovered it.
The four have been identified as Andile Nyoni (19) and Holy Ziweya (20) of Entumbane Suburb and brothers, Melusi (21) and Ephraim Ngwenya (24) of Mpopoma.
According to sources close to the investigation, the four were arrested on Sunday.
"The four, using a vehicle belonging Melusi as a pirate taxi, would go around the city picking up passengers at undesignated pick-up points at night. They would drive to secluded spots and then rob the passengers at knife point. Sometimes they used iron bars, knob kerries and other weapons to instill fear in their victims. Sometimes, they would strip and rape female passengers," said one of the sources.
"Given their ages, what they were doing is very shocking. They robbed people of cash, cellphones, laptops, i-pads, cameras and many other things. We suspect that they have been doing this for at least eight months, beginning in February this year."
Another source said the four men would sell their loot at give away prices to members of the public or backyard electric gadgets dealers.
Contacted for comment, police spokesperson for Bulawayo, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo confirmed the incident.
"We have arrested four suspects in connection with armed robberies and rape cases. The suspects allegedly used a vehicle to pick passengers whom they would later rob," said Inspector Moyo.
He declined to describe the vehicle saying it would jeopardise investigations. "As police, we are inviting possible victims who may not have made a report to come and identify the suspects. They may have to point them out in an identification parade and they may also need to identify their vehicle," said Insp Moyo.
The police spokesperson said members of the public who may have been victims of the gang should visit the Licence Inspectorate at Drill Hall Police Station, to make reports or identify their property from goods that were recovered from the gang.
He urged residents to use designated pick up points for public transport to avoid falling prey to criminals.
Insp Moyo said residents should develop a habit of putting secret identifying marks on their property to make it easier to claim, when police recovered it.
Source - Byo24News
