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Bindura Bureau
A Bakers Inn bread van driver and his assistant were robbed of nearly US$2 000 at gun point by five unknown men in rural Chiweshe, on Sunday.
Mashonaland Central police spokesperson, Inspector Milton Mundembe, confirmed.
He said police had launched a man hunt and were appealing for any leads from members of the public to help identify and arrest the suspects.
Inspector Mundembe said, last Sunday at around 4.15pm, Shepherd Chingombe drove the truck from Kakora Business Centre on his way to Rosa Business Centre in the company of his assistant, Likiah Kamoto.
Along the way, in Jeke Village, he was approached by a blue Honda Fit (new shape), registration plate AGA 5548, from behind signaling him to stop.
One of the occupants approached under the pretext of intending to buy some bread leading Chingombe to pull off the road and park.
The Honda Fit driver allegedly disembarked and proceeded towards Chingombe before pulling out a pistol demanding cash.
He opened the driver’s door, switched off the engine, took the keys of the truck and pulled out Chingombe from the driver’s seat before allegedly firing two shots into the air.
He then tripped Chingombe to the ground and started assaulting him with open hands and booted feet. Consequently, three other men with pistols disembarked from the Honda Fit and approached Lukiah.
They pulled him out of the vehicle and demanded cash while assaulting him with open hands.
Lukiah was searched and they took US$1 800 cash from his pocket, two cell phones, a satchel with invoice books and a swiping machine while the fifth suspect was on guard.
After the heist, the five sped off towards Rosa Business Centre while the Chingombe and Lukiah headed to Chombira Police station where they reported the robbery.
Police details attending the scene recovered 2 x 9mm spent cartridges.
Insp Mundembe urged operators in such businesses to opt for cashless transactions as they were vulnerable to robbers moving around with cash.
“We urge those involved in high-valued transactions to always opt for non-cash deals such as swiping or bank transfers,” he said. Nhau/Indaba
