Businessman, family robbed at gunpoint in midnight raid

A Marange businessman and his family lost cash and property worth about US$3,000 after seven armed robbers raided their home in Chipfatsura Village on Saturday night.

The gang, reportedly armed with firearms, allegedly assaulted members of the family while demanding US$10,000 they believed was hidden inside the house.

When visited at their homestead on Tuesday, the businessman's wife, Charity Matongo, said the family was left nursing serious injuries following the violent attack.

She said the robbers forced their way into the house before demanding money.

"We did not have the US$10,000 they were demanding. We only handed over the money that we had in the house, but they assaulted us regardless, insisting that we tell them where the rest of the money was," she said.

The robbers reportedly fled with cash and other valuables after failing to recover the amount they had been demanding.

No arrests had been made by the time of publication.

Efforts to obtain a comment from the Zimbabwe Republic Police were unsuccessful. Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone went unanswered.

Police investigations into the robbery are expected to continue.