Three suspected carjackers were apprehended in Bulawayo on Monday following a dramatic shootout with police in the Luveve suburb. The arrests mark a significant breakthrough in a series of armed robberies targeting vehicles in Bulawayo and Gwanda between July and November 2024.
The suspects, identified as Moketsi Ndlovu (18), Respect Khumalo (22), and Onias Tembo (19), were tracked down to a Luveve hideout following a tip-off, according to police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi. The ensuing confrontation resulted in a tense exchange of gunfire near the Roman Catholic Church in Luveve, culminating in the suspects’ arrest.
“Detectives tracked the suspects to a hideout in Luveve, Bulawayo, after receiving a tip-off. When the suspects opened fire, a shootout ensued, and the suspects were arrested near the Roman Catholic Church,” Commissioner Nyathi explained, detailing the events leading to the arrests.
The successful operation yielded significant evidence linking the suspects to the crimes. Recovered from the scene were a 9mm FN Browning pistol, three live rounds of ammunition, and eight spent cartridges, providing crucial physical evidence for the prosecution.
The three arrested men are implicated in at least three separate carjacking incidents. The first occurred on 1 October 2024, along Bulawayo’s Jungle Road, where a Toyota Fun Cargo was stolen. A subsequent incident on 13 November in Reigate Township saw the theft of a Honda Fit, along with a cellphone and an unspecified amount of cash. The final incident, on 20 November at Chigumira Business Centre, involved the theft of a Ford Ranger.
This Ford Ranger was later recovered by police at a railway crossing in Spitzkop, Gwanda, offering a crucial lead in the investigation and potentially linking the suspects to a wider network. The recovery of the vehicle suggests a possible pattern in the suspects’ methods, potentially involving pre-planned routes or disposal points for stolen vehicles.
While the arrests represent a significant step forward in the investigation, police are actively pursuing a fourth suspect, Elvis Charakupa (41), from the Mpopoma suburb of Bulawayo. Investigators are appealing to the public for assistance in locating Charakupa.
“Police are seeking information on a fourth suspect, Elvis Charakupa, 41, from Mpopoma. Investigators are urging anyone with information to contact the National Complaints Desk at (0242) 703631, WhatsApp 0712 800 197, or report to any police station,” Commissioner Nyathi urged, highlighting the importance of public cooperation in bringing the remaining suspect to justice.
