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Crime Reporter

POLICE have launched a manhunt for armed robbers who are terrorising people countrywide and another gang is also being sought for offering lifts to women before raping and robbing them in the city.

Last Saturday, an eight-member gang raided the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) offices in Bulawayo and got away with US$1 150 and $255 000 after attacking and disarming security personnel manning the depot.

The robbers who were armed with iron bars and screwdrivers attacked three security guards, one of whom was armed with a gun before ransacking the depot.

In a statement, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incidents.

“The ZRP is investigating a robbery that occurred on July 15, 2022, at Vehicle Inspection Depot in Bulawayo. Eight unidentified suspects armed with iron bars as well as screwdrivers attacked three security guards who were on duty at the depot before stealing US$1 150 and $255 000 cash.

“The suspects disarmed one of the security guards and stole a 303 rifle, serial number 556340HW38 with no ammunition. Anyone with information to contact any nearest police station,” he said.

Police are also investigating a robbery case which occurred on July 16 at around 5 pm along Chakari-Chegutu Road at the 7km peg.

Asst Comm Nyathi said two unidentified men and a woman armed with unknown rifles intercepted a liquor delivery truck before stealing US$25 000 cash as well as two cellphones from the driver and his assistant.

Meanwhile, police in Harare are on the hunt for three men who reportedly kidnapped and gang-raped a 20-year-old woman after offering her a lift from Kamunhu shopping centre in Mabvuku to the city.

Police in Harare said the incident occurred on July 10 at around 6pm when the three assailants who were travelling in an unregistered black Honda Fit picked up the victim at a bus stop at Kamunhu shopping centre.

It is alleged that along the way, the driver claimed that his vehicle had run out of fuel and said he wanted to drive to a nearby friend’s house in Greendale to take another car.

Investigations revealed that he took another unregistered Honda Fit before driving off. Along the way, the driver pulled off the road before the trio started sexually abusing the victim.

One of the assailants who was seated in the back seat then stripped naked the woman before raping her, afterwards his two other colleagues took turns raping her. After raping her the gang dumped her naked at a disused property and sped off.