Zimbabwe has witnessed another brazen armed robbery, this time targeting a Mukuru Money Transfer agency at Makomva Shopping Centre in Glen View. The incident, which occurred around 10 AM on Monday morning, saw a gang of armed robbers make off with an undisclosed sum of money.
The robbers, armed with pistols and travelling in a black Toyota Mark X, parked their vehicle in front of the Mukuru booth, located inside a pharmacy, before brandishing their weapons.
According to sources, the robbers held the Mukuru employees hostage while they looted the cash. Their escape was dramatic, with shots fired into the air as they sped away, prompting a chase by members of the public. Police have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident, but a team of detectives from the CID Homicide and other departments has been deployed to the scene to commence investigations.
This latest incident is not an isolated event. A series of similar robberies targeting Mukuru agencies and other financial institutions have plagued the country in recent months. In June this year, three unidentified armed robbers stormed a Mukuru money transfer agent in Gweru, escaping with over US$21,000 and R14,000.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko detailed the incident at the time: “Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating an armed robbery of cash amounting to US$21 544 and 14 400 South African Rand from a Mukuru money transfer agent shop at Mkoba 6 shopping centre in Gweru on June 19 at around 7.30am,” Inspector Mahoko said when the incident occurred. He described how the robbers forced employees to surrender money and open the safe before fleeing.
A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted the events: “The robbers arrived when I was coming from buying my stuff in town, I saw them enter Mlungu General Dealers, and minutes later they came out running with a box and went away. Their car had no licence plate,” she said.
A worker from Mlungu Dealers corroborated the account, stating that the robbers fired shots and demanded money from the Mukuru safe before fleeing in a silver Honda Fit. The robbers were suspected to be the same crew that robbed Tottenham Services in Entumbane a week prior.
In a separate incident unrelated to the Mukuru robberies, Harare police are investigating a case of unlawful entry and theft that occurred on December 13th at a house along Abyone Drive in Newlands. An unknown suspect broke into the house, stealing a cash box containing US$20,000 and a laptop. The suspect forced entry through the dining room door.
Further afield, Marondera police are also investigating a case of unlawful entry and theft that occurred on December 12th at Rakodzi Estate. In this instance, suspects broke into a house while the complainant was away in Harare, stealing a Farbam shotgun, a Brno shotgun, and a BSA rifle. They gained entry by breaking the main entrance door.
The frequency of these robberies highlights a growing concern about security in Zimbabwe. The police are likely to increase patrols and investigations into these incidents.
