Man arrested in Bulawayo over series of armed robberies

A 36-year-old man from Magwegwe suburb in Bulawayo has been arrested in connection with a series of armed robberies that took place across the city during March 2025. The police have linked Nhlanhla Ncube to multiple criminal incidents involving armed theft.

Bulawayo province police spokesperson, Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, confirmed Ncube's arrest and revealed that three other suspects remain at large. The other suspects are Learmore Sibanda (23) and Farai Sibanda (40), both from Cowdray Park, as well as a third identified only as Prosper.

According to Inspector Msebele, the criminal activities began on March 2, when Ncube and his accomplices, armed with pistols and a knife, targeted a sports bar in Tshabalala. The group arrived at around 10:50 pm while the bar was preparing to close. They ordered patrons to lie down and demanded cash from behind the counter. The suspects stole US$1,000 in cash along with a Techno and a Huawei cellphone. During their escape, they also took alcohol valued at US$1,130.

The group did not stop there. Later, they proceeded to a tavern in Nketa 7, where they again armed with weapons, ordered everyone down. They forced the female cashier, aged 27, to open the safe but she had no keys. The suspects then ransacked the premises, found the keys to the strong room, and stole US$190 in cash. Patrons were also forced to surrender their cellphones and cash totaling US$981, none of which has been recovered.

On March 16, around 7 pm, the group struck again at a general dealer in Old Pumula shops. Upon entering, one suspect pointed a firearm at a 28-year-old shop assistant from Emthunzini and demanded cash. The suspects took all money in the till, approximately US$190, and fled the scene.

Following a tip-off, police raided a house in Pumula and arrested Ncube. During questioning, Ncube admitted involvement in the robberies alongside his accomplices. Searches at his residence led to the recovery of a tablet, machetes, a sword knife, worksuits, a black AK-SA ARMS A21 blank gun, a pick head, and two small axes. The total value of stolen property linked to the group is estimated at US$2,301, none of which has been recovered.

Inspector Msebele commended the public for their cooperation in providing information that aided the arrest. She urged anyone with information that could help apprehend the remaining suspects to come forward and assist the police in their investigations.