Five individuals suspected of being involved in a series of armed bank robberies were apprehended in Kamativi, Matabeleland North, on Tuesday while attempting to rob another bank.
According to the police, the suspects were caught in the act while trying to rob a BancABC Bank in Kamativi. They are also believed to be connected to multiple armed robberies in Hwange.
The suspects have been identified as Derren Tshuma (25), Proud Gumbo (30), Moyo Tamsanqa (33), Michael Donald Sibanda (26), and Majority Ndlovu (26). The arrests were confirmed by National Police Spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
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“On August 27, 2024, the police conducted surveillance around BancABC Bank in Kamativi after receiving intelligence about a planned robbery at the bank,” said Commissioner Nyathi. “Officers heard a gunshot and observed three suspects fleeing the scene.
A chase ensued, leading to the arrest of Derren Tshuma, along with the recovery of a spent cartridge and a National Identification card that had been stolen from a garage in Hwange on May 5, 2024.”
Further investigations resulted in the arrest of Proud Gumbo at a bus stop near Cross Dete along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road on August 28, 2024. This arrest also led to the seizure of a Browning pistol and the apprehension of the other suspects: Moyo Tamsanqa, Michael Donald Sibanda, and Majority Ndlovu.
Police also recovered two getaway vehicles: a Nissan AD Van with the registration number AGN 7534 and a Nissan Sunny with the registration number ACD 5508.
The suspects are allegedly linked to five armed robbery cases that took place in Victoria Falls and Hwange between December 31, 2022, and June 30, 2024.
These incidents include a robbery at ZB Bank in Victoria Falls on December 31, 2022, where US$15,964 was stolen, and another incident at a service station on January 8, 2024, in which a security guard was stabbed in the back with an okapi knife before cash was taken.
Commissioner Nyathi added that the suspects are also assisting police with investigations into a robbery at a bar in Lwendulu Village, Hwange, on June 2, 2024, where cash and cellphones were stolen.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police appreciates the public for providing critical information that led to the arrests of the suspects,” said Commissioner Nyathi.
Authorities are also seeking information that could lead to the arrest of another suspect, Mxolisi Sibanda. Anyone with information is urged to contact the National Complaints Desk at (0242) 703631, WhatsApp at 0712 800 197, or report to the nearest police station.
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