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Babbington Machingura Midlands Reporter
Police in Kwekwe have arrested a 13-member gang, which has been robbing shops in and around Kwekwe and Redcliff.

Acting police spokesperson for Midlands Province, Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende confirmed the arrest of the gang.

“We have arrested Bereto Nyoni (42), Blessed Nyathi (44), Osmond Banda (38), Timothy Ndlovu (38), Fabian Maketo (41), Tinotenda Takawira (25), Donald Mutandwa (41), Gladson Manjengwa (48), Bruce Mamvura (31), Tinashe Maphosa (20), Accused Tinashe Musindo (20), Tinoc Madzivanyika (38) and Knowledge Sibanda (27), who all reside in Kwekwe’s high density suburb of Mbizo, after they were found in possession of stolen material, which they confessed to have stolen from shops in and around Kwekwe and Redicliff,” she said.

Acting Assistant Inspector Mukwende said the stolen items comprised clothing material, a pressure bed, sewing threads and needles.

The gang, Acting Assistant Inspector Mukwende said, was arrested after Kwekwe CID launched operation “Isigelekeqe singaphi”, which targeted wanted persons, ex-convicts and known criminals.

“We received a tip-off that the first accused who is an ex-convict (Nyoni) and four other members of the gang were selling weaves in Simbi Park High density suburb and we raided the location and discovered clothing materials, a pressure bed and sewing threads in the accused’s house and the accused persons confessed to the police that they had broken into various clothing material shops in and around Kwekwe and Redcliff.

“A further follow up of investigations led to the arrest of the other 13 members who were implicated in these criminal activities. The property which was recovered by police has the total value of $18 000,” she said.