On Monday, April 22, seven armed robbers broke into a house in Borrowdale West, Harare, and stole a car, a laptop, and seven smartphones, according to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).
Armed with two machetes, two crowbars and four pistols, the criminals, according to the authorities, attacked an on-duty security guard before forcing their way inside the building and attacking its occupant.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ZRP confirmed that investigations into the incident near Impala Road are still ongoing.
Three armed individuals attacked the Chakohwa Business Centre in Chimanimani in a different incident that occurred on the same day.
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They reportedly had guns when they broke into a cottage, beat two of the residents, and forced one victim to go with them to a local store where they stole US$30,000.
Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga has acknowledged that there has been a recent increase in violent crimes, such as armed robbery and homicide, since 2022.
These crimes have caused fear and anxiety among the public, with targets ranging from individuals to businesses and institutions holding significant amounts of cash. Notably, churches, service stations, and banks have increasingly fallen prey to such gun-related crimes, leading to law enforcement requesting any information that could aid in their apprehension. Seven Armed Robbers Strike Borrowdale West Residence