Robbers hide in apostolic sect robes

TWO apostolic sect members on Saturday robbed a Midlands man of his vehicle after hiring his vehicle.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko yesterday confirmed the incident that occurred in the Batanai area under Chief Ngungumbane, Mberengwa.

Mahoko said on the day in question, Bright Masukume (34) of Magunje village in Mberengwa received a call from two unknown men who requested to hire his kombi to attend a church gathering in Triangle.

"The complainant drove his black Nissan Caravan registration number AGF2037 from Vurasha, Mataga area to Batanai where he met two men dressed in white garments and he disembarked from the vehicle to finalise the deal," Mahoko said.

"The two men turned against him and one of them pointed a knife at him while the other drew a machete hidden under his garment and threatened to kill the complainant."

He said one of the men stabbed Masukume once on the back and he sustained a minor cut.

According to Mahoko, the suspects dragged the complainant into a nearby bush where they tied him to a tree using ropes.

He said they searched the victim and took his cellphone and passport before driving off in his vehicle.

The following morning, passersby discovered Masukume and untied him from the tree before a report was made at Buchwa Police Station.

Mahoko appealed to anyone who might have information on the whereabouts of the two robbers to report at any nearest police station.