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Armed gangs targeting SUVs in Bulawayo
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Police in Bulawayo have raised the alarm over a surge in armed robberies targeting high-value Special Utility Vehicles (SUVs), warning that organised criminal syndicates are now smuggling stolen vehicles out of the country.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed a troubling rise in such incidents, particularly involving popular SUV models like the Toyota Fortuner.
"These criminals are now heavily armed, operating in groups, and focusing on hijacking expensive vehicles which are later smuggled out of Zimbabwe," Msebele said.
In one of the latest incidents, a 64-year-old woman from Malindela was robbed of her silver Toyota Fortuner outside a house in Pumula South on June 11 at around 10:40 PM. She had visited the property to check on renovations and left her vehicle parked outside.
"About an hour later, at around 11:30 PM, she returned to her car and was confronted by two unknown men armed with a pistol," said Msebele. "They threatened to shoot her unless she handed over the keys. She complied."
The robbers also stole her sling bag containing US$43, pain medication worth US$50, and a 20-litre bucket of paint valued at US$138. They drove off with the vehicle, which had a total value of approximately US$55,000. Nothing has been recovered.
In a separate but similar case on June 16, a 37-year-old man from Parklands and his wife were attacked near Kingsdale shops on their way to Inyathi, Matabeleland North, in another silver Toyota Fortuner.
"The couple had stopped by the roadside to rest when they were ambushed by five armed suspects — one wielding a pistol and the others an okapi knife," Msebele reported. "They hijacked the vehicle, which contained groceries worth US$50 and two iPhone 13 Pro Max smartphones valued at US$1,400."
The gang forced the complainant's wife out of the vehicle after driving a short distance and fled with the SUV, valued at over US$45,000. Again, nothing has been recovered.
Inspector Msebele urged motorists to exercise extreme caution, particularly at night, and advised against stopping in dark or isolated areas.
"Motorists must install vehicle tracking systems and avoid pulling over in unlit locations. When taking a break, do so in secure areas near buildings or shops," she warned.
The recent spate of carjackings has heightened concerns that well-coordinated cross-border syndicates are behind the escalating crime wave, with Zimbabwean authorities now working closely with regional counterparts to curb vehicle smuggling operations.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed a troubling rise in such incidents, particularly involving popular SUV models like the Toyota Fortuner.
"These criminals are now heavily armed, operating in groups, and focusing on hijacking expensive vehicles which are later smuggled out of Zimbabwe," Msebele said.
In one of the latest incidents, a 64-year-old woman from Malindela was robbed of her silver Toyota Fortuner outside a house in Pumula South on June 11 at around 10:40 PM. She had visited the property to check on renovations and left her vehicle parked outside.
"About an hour later, at around 11:30 PM, she returned to her car and was confronted by two unknown men armed with a pistol," said Msebele. "They threatened to shoot her unless she handed over the keys. She complied."
The robbers also stole her sling bag containing US$43, pain medication worth US$50, and a 20-litre bucket of paint valued at US$138. They drove off with the vehicle, which had a total value of approximately US$55,000. Nothing has been recovered.
In a separate but similar case on June 16, a 37-year-old man from Parklands and his wife were attacked near Kingsdale shops on their way to Inyathi, Matabeleland North, in another silver Toyota Fortuner.
"The couple had stopped by the roadside to rest when they were ambushed by five armed suspects — one wielding a pistol and the others an okapi knife," Msebele reported. "They hijacked the vehicle, which contained groceries worth US$50 and two iPhone 13 Pro Max smartphones valued at US$1,400."
The gang forced the complainant's wife out of the vehicle after driving a short distance and fled with the SUV, valued at over US$45,000. Again, nothing has been recovered.
Inspector Msebele urged motorists to exercise extreme caution, particularly at night, and advised against stopping in dark or isolated areas.
"Motorists must install vehicle tracking systems and avoid pulling over in unlit locations. When taking a break, do so in secure areas near buildings or shops," she warned.
The recent spate of carjackings has heightened concerns that well-coordinated cross-border syndicates are behind the escalating crime wave, with Zimbabwean authorities now working closely with regional counterparts to curb vehicle smuggling operations.
Source - New Ziana
