Police have confirmed the arrest of three individuals involved in the smuggling of second-hand clothing and the death of a fourth man following a shootout in Mutare on Wednesday morning.
In a statement released on Thursday, October 17, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi detailed the arrests of Phillimon Matiyashe (32), Tawanda Chafanza (33), and Owen Wenjere (29). The fourth individual, Admire Tawanda Sibanda (40), died during the confrontation with police officers on October 16, 2024, at around 5:30 AM.
Commissioner Nyathi stated that a police anti-smuggling unit acted on information received and intercepted a MAN rigid truck, registration number AFG 7429, along Vumba Road, just after the Prince of Wales turn-off in Mutare.
The truck, which was carrying smuggled second-hand clothes, was being escorted by two vehicles: an unregistered silver Toyota Runx and a silver Toyota Mark X, registration number AFY 1037, driven by Sibanda.
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When police attempted to stop the truck, the driver sped away. A second Toyota Runx, registration number AFH 8368, blocked the path, prompting Sibanda to pull out a firearm and open fire on the police, resulting in a shootout.
Sibanda was shot in the neck and later died from his injuries while being transported to the hospital. The police vehicle was also hit, sustaining two bullet holes in the front left fender.
Following a chase, police apprehended Matiyashe, Chafanza, and Wenjere. During the operation, they recovered 104 bales of second-hand shoes and 138 bales of second-hand clothes from the truck.
Commissioner Nyathi commended the public for their assistance in providing crucial information and cautioned smuggling syndicates against resorting to violence during confrontations with law enforcement, emphasizing that such actions will lead to serious consequences.
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