In a dramatic turn of events, two men who brazenly brandished a knife and robbed a woman of her cellphone and money were swiftly apprehended by the vigilant community of Pumula South in Bulawayo. The local neighbourhood watch committee played a crucial role in facilitating their capture, earning praise from the police for their exceptional teamwork.
According to a statement released by Bulawayo Police Spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube, the incident occurred on Friday when the victim, a 51-year-old woman from Pelandaba, was approached from behind by the suspects. Nkosana Sibanda, hailing from Pumula East suburb, menacingly brandished a knife, threatening to harm her. Meanwhile, Daniel Moyo, a resident of Northend, forcibly blocked her path while she was waiting for a commuter omnibus to town in Pumula East.
In a harrowing ordeal, the suspects swiftly fled the scene after snatching the woman’s Huawei phone and a sum of R70 from her handbag. However, fortune was not on their side, as the victim’s desperate cries for help caught the attention of nearby members of the public. Acting swiftly and fearlessly, they pursued the fleeing criminals and managed to apprehend them before promptly handing them over to the police.
During a subsequent search, law enforcement officers recovered the stolen items from Nkosana Sibanda’s right pocket. Both accused individuals are currently in police custody, where they will assist with further investigations into the incident.
Inspector Ncube commended the outstanding community response, hailing it as an exemplary practice in Bulawayo. He stated, “This is a very good practice by the community of Bulawayo where they react to SOS, where they react to assist their fellow members.”
