Armed robbers raid six houses in four hours

Residents of Manningdale and nearby Buena Vista suburbs in Bulawayo are living in fear following a series of violent armed robberies in which a gang of suspects allegedly stormed multiple homes, assaulting occupants and stealing property worth about US$2,000 in a single night.

Police say investigations are underway after the coordinated attacks, which targeted six houses in Manningdale between midnight and 4AM on April 14.

Bulawayo provincial deputy police spokesperson Thandekile Ndlovu confirmed the incidents, saying seven suspects were involved in the spate of robberies.

"On 14 April, between midnight and 4AM, seven accused persons were behind six robbery cases committed in Manningdale area," she said, adding that the gang used similar tactics to force entry into homes and demand cash and cellphones.

According to police, the attackers used a range of weapons including machetes, axes, hammers, shovels, knobkerries and a pick, and wore dark clothing and balaclavas to conceal their identities.

Despite ongoing investigations, no arrests have yet been made. Police have urged residents to strengthen home security measures and report any information that could lead to the suspects' capture.

Victims described traumatic experiences during the raids, with one university lecturer saying he and his wife were ambushed in their bedroom and assaulted when the attackers failed to find significant cash.

"They asked where we kept our safe… when they realised there was no money, they became violent," he said, adding that both suffered broken fingers during the attack.

In another case, residents reportedly abandoned their home following the invasion, while others have described ongoing fear and anxiety in the neighbourhood.

In Buena Vista, residents say the situation has become unbearable, with some forming informal communication networks to warn each other of suspicious activity.

A message circulating in a community WhatsApp group described the area as being "under siege," while also praising residents who assisted a neighbour stabbed during one of the attacks.

Police have reiterated calls for vigilance as violent residential robberies continue to rise in parts of Zimbabwe, particularly in suburban areas where criminals are targeting homes during late-night hours.