Southerton robbery suspect shot dead

On Saturday, law enforcement officers fatally shot one of the individuals implicated in last week's armed robbery in Southerton, following an exchange of gunfire in Chitungwiza's Unit A neighborhood.

The national police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed that the suspect succumbed to injuries sustained during the shootout with police investigators.

"The Zimbabwe Republic Police has verified a shooting incident involving an armed robbery suspect, Sam Mudzuri (42), which transpired on November 4, 2023, in Unit A, Seke, Chitungwiza.

"This shooting incident is linked to the widely shared armed robbery case in Southerton, which gained attention on social media platforms. During the Southerton incident on October 30, 2023, the complainant, driving a Toyota Hilux vehicle, was intercepted by suspects traveling in a Honda Fit vehicle on Bryce Road, Harare. The suspects, armed with an unidentified pistol, a knife, and an iron bar, threatened the complainant with the pistol and shattered the vehicle's passenger and driver's windows.

"They made off with a cellphone, an iPad, and $250 in cash before fleeing in the Honda Fit. The incident was captured on the complainant's dashboard camera."

Assistant Commissioner Nyathi reported that detectives from CID Homicide acted on a tip-off on Saturday and located Mudzuri at his girlfriend's residence in Unit A, Seke, Chitungwiza, where he had taken refuge. A confrontation led to an exchange of gunfire, during which Mudzuri sustained leg injuries. He was transferred to a hospital in Harare but died upon admission.

"The Zimbabwe Republic Police continues its pursuit of other suspects, including Paul Chinake, also known as Pauros, Lovejoy, also known as Shorty, Teddie, and Betto, in connection with this armed robbery case.

In a related case, on Thursday, as part of the "No to Cross Border Crimes" operation, police deployed in Beitbridge arrested Raymond Chatama (21) at Beitbridge Border Post for unlawful possession of a 0.22 Star pistol with a magazine containing 19 live rounds and a spent 0.22 cartridge.

"Further investigations by CID Homicide Harare have linked the suspect to four robbery cases occurring between November 22, 2022, and December 26, 2022, in Ruwa."

"The suspect implicated Best Zuze (42), who was apprehended on November 2, 2023, at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Showgrounds in Harare. This arrest led to the recovery of a .303 rifle, three pellet guns, and 55-inch and 32-inch television sets.

These suspects are linked to a robbery incident on a property along Roseneath Road, Ruwa, where a family was assaulted and $350 in cash, two televisions, three cellphones, and a Toyota Hilux GD6 were stolen. They are also associated with two robberies at separate Ruwa supermarkets on November 22, 2022, resulting in the theft of $1,511 and $10,000.

The suspects are further connected to a robbery case at Kumusha Resort and Gardens in Ruwa on December 22, 2022, where $510 in cash, three flashlights, and a Nexus generator were stolen.

Furthermore, Tawanda Chivizhe (28), Terrence Nyasha Mugocha (21), and Tawananyasha Kaguda (21) have been apprehended in relation to a murder case where Panashe Nyamurowa (26) was killed last Thursday at the corner of Sixth Street and Samora Machel Avenue in Harare.

Nyamurowa had confronted the suspects over the alleged theft of $90 from a sex worker.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates its commitment to combat criminal activities in the country, pledging unwavering pursuit of criminal syndicates without bias or favor. The public is encouraged to report any information regarding criminal activities to the nearest police station, ensuring that the law is upheld."