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Crime Reporter

A suspected armed robber believed to have been part of a gang that robbed Quest Financial Services in Belgravia of US$720 000 on February 25, was shot dead along Manyame River in Southlea Park after picking up a pistol from a shrub before aiming at detectives who were escorting him.

Blessing Sumbani Sithole (49) had led police to the area where he had hidden the gun, a 7.65mm CZ Vzor pistol which was stolen at Quest Financial Services in Belgravia during the heist.

He was shot on the back before being taken to Sally Mugabe Hospital where he died upon admission.

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

“Reference is made to the Zimbabwe Republic Police statement released on February 28, 2024, in connection with a case of robbery which occurred on February 25, 2024, at Quest Financial Services in Belgravia, Harare where US$ 720 676, R10 500 and Euro 120 cash as well as a 7.65 mm CZ Vzor pistol and three laptops were stolen.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the death of one of the outstanding suspects in the robbery case, Blessing Sumbani Sithole aged 49, during a shooting which occurred on April 4, 2024 along Manyame River, Southlea Park, Harare,” he said.

He said on April 4, 2024, detectives from CID Harare received information that Blessing Sumbani Sithole was hiding at a house in Makondo Extension, Chiredzi.

The detectives tracked the suspect to Chiredzi where he was subsequently arrested.

His arrest led to the recovery of a 0.38 Special revolver with seven rounds and a Toyota Probox vehicle, registration number AGF 1832, which the suspect claimed to have bought for US$6 300 using his share from the loot.

“The suspect led detectives to Manyame River in Southlea Park, Harare where he claimed to have hidden a 7.65mm CZ Vzor pistol which was stolen at Quest Financial Services in Belgravia during the heist.

“Upon arrival at the scene, the suspect picked the pistol from a shrub and cocked it before aiming at detectives who were escorting him. Subsequently, the suspect was shot on the back and was rushed to Sally Mugabe Hospital where he died upon admission,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.

The detectives recovered the pistol which was loaded with four live rounds.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that it fully subscribes to human rights tenets and will respond appropriately to robbery scenes as determined by the prevailing situation on the ground. Suspects involved in criminal acts are accordingly implored to duly comply with police orders and avoid clashes or confrontation with arresting details.

“The police applauds the public for supplying positive information which has assisted the police to account for armed robbery suspects throughout the country. The public is urged to continue forwarding information regarding criminal activities to the National Complaints Desk number (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp 0712 800 197 or report at any nearest Police Station,” he said.

Recently, three more suspects, believed to have been involved in the robbery in appeared in court.

Shadreck Tendai (42), Phillip Rwodzi (37) and Livingstone Tunha (53), who are all employees of Quest Financial Services, appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Apollonia Marutya.

The State applied for a warrant of further detention which the magistrate granted.

Six other suspects Washington Mangwanda (21), Brighton Chikuwa (27), Silence Matambo (27), Liberty Mukangaise (31), Richard Marondera (25) and Luke Zinyengere (28), also initially appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Donald Ndirowei.

The allegations against the gang are that they went to rob Lancelot Tashayawedu at his offices at 6 Rochester Road in Belgravia, armed with a revolver, an unidentified blank pistol, a drill, an iron bar, a bolt cutter and explosives.

The gang was driving in four separate vehicles: a blue Honda Fit, silver Honda Fit, black Mercedes Benz and a black Toyota Wish.

Upon arrival, they approached Mr Tashayawedu in his bedroom and tied his hands and legs with an electric cable, leaving him under guard by one of the alleged robbers while the others smashed the window pane of one of the office buildings to gain entry into the office.

The gang allegedly ransacked several offices at the building, including the server room, the managing director’s office, the operations manager’s office and the board room. It is the State’s case that the suspected robbers blasted open the strong room and the safes with explosives and stole cash amounting to US$716 340-00, R10 000, e120, and PABX telephone machine and a 7.65mm CZ Vzor pistol serial numbers 20273.

Their plan was disturbed by the arrival of the Safe Guard reaction team who parked their vehicle at the front of the offices. The robbers fled from the scene leaving a grinder, fuse cables and a bag with two laptops. The gang also dropped cash amounting to US$5 000 on their way out by breaking precast panels at the back of the premises.

Detectives from CID Homicide, Harare received information which linked Brighton Chikukwa to the offence. The detectives tracked the suspect to Mbare, Harare where he was arrested and he allegedly implicated the other suspects and Zacharia Charuwanda Allias Zero, Trymore Chimbambo, Maxwell Kadzembe as well as three employees at Quest Financial Services.

Police allege Chikukwa received US$40 000 cash as part of his share from the loot. The detectives recovered US$25 000 cash and a Ford Ranger vehicle, registration number AGC 6541, which he had allegedly bought for US$14 000. Silence Matambo and Washington Mangwanda were later arrested in Mbare after being lured by Chikukwa.

The detectives recovered US$22 000 cash which was allegedly given to Matambo and Mangwanda as part of their share of the loot.

Police allege Mangwanda was given US$25 000 as part of his share which he used to buy a Toyota Aqua vehicle for US$5 300 and gave his mother US$ 10 000 and another US$5 000 to his wife for personal use.

Detectives acted on received information and arrested Liberty Mukanganise at Boka Tobacco Auction Floors in Waterfalls. Investigations by the detectives revealed that he was allegedly given US$ 23 000 cash as part of his share of the loot. He led the detectives to the recovery of US$20 560 cash, a car radio, a sub-woofer, seat covers valued at US$55, four size 15 tyres valued at US$240, car shields valued at US$35 and mag wheels valued at US$400.

Tafadzwa Richard Marondera and Luke Zinyengere were later arrested in Glen View and led the detectives to the recovery of US$50 600 cash. It was established that Marondera was given US$35 000 as part of his share while Zinyengere was given US$25 000.

The detectives recovered a Mark X vehicle, registration number AFR 7059, which Zinyengere had allegedly bought for US$1 100, an iPhone 14 Pro Max bought for US$1 300, and an iPhone 15 Pro Max bought for US$1 500.