Woman loses car to three gunmen at funeral parlour

A Beitbridge woman lost her Toyota GD6 twin cab vehicle to three armed men who ambushed her on Tuesday evening while she was processing burial arrangements for a late relative.

The suspects also stole a mobile phone and cash amounting to R3 000 during the robbery.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Chiratidzo Dube confirmed the incident, saying investigations were underway to track down the suspects and recover the stolen property.

According to Insp Dube, the robbery occurred at around 8:30pm when the complainant, who was accompanied by her two sisters, went to Doves Funeral Parlour in Beitbridge to notify the establishment of a relative's death.

"The complainant parked her white Toyota GD6 twin cab, registration number HKY 460 L, outside Doves Funeral Parlour and entered the offices, leaving her two sisters seated in the motor vehicle," said Insp Dube.

She said that about 20 minutes later, the complainant returned to her vehicle and was about to start it when she was confronted by three unknown men of medium build.

"One of the accused persons was wearing a purple shirt and black trousers, while the other two were dressed in dark clothing. None of the suspects had their faces covered," Insp Dube said.

She added that one of the suspects, who was armed with a black pistol and speaking in the Sotho language, pointed the firearm at the complainant as she sat in the driver's seat and demanded the car keys. The suspect then ordered the woman and her two sisters to get out of the vehicle, while the other two men stood nearby.

Fearing for their lives, the complainant and her sisters complied, leaving the keys and their belongings inside the vehicle.

"The accused persons then got into the complainant's vehicle and drove off at high speed to an unknown destination," said Insp Dube.

Items stolen with the vehicle included a black handbag containing the complainant's driver's licence, a valid Temporary Import Permit, the vehicle's registration book in the name of Rachel Inja, a South African national, a Samsung S24 Ultra cellphone with an Econet line, and R3 000 in cash.

The matter was reported to the police later the same evening. Police have urged members of the public with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects to come forward.