Tendai Muererwa
Mutare – Fear continues to grip residents of Dangamvura following a surge in robberies and violent assaults, with the latest incident involving eight balaclava-clad robbers who attacked a security guard before raiding Giants Sports Bar in the early hours of Sunday.
The robbery comes just hours after the Police conducted a crime prevention campaign in Gwinyiro, Dangamvura, amid growing concerns over escalating criminal activities in the suburb. Acting Manicaland police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, said the robbery occurred at around 1am on Sunday.
He said the owner of Giants Sports Bar, Joseph Joromani of Area 3, Dangamvura, was alerted at about 2am by Tinashe Mupambwa (37) who informed him that the premises had been broken into. Joromani rushed to the scene where he found the security guard, Pias Maziveyi (67) of Federation Phase 1 Dangamvura who recounted the terrifying ordeal.
According to police, Maziveyi was on duty when he was surrounded by eight unknown men wearing balaclavas. One of the suspects struck him on the right arm and leg with a blunt metal bar, causing him to fall to the ground. The robbers tied his hands and legs with a rope before dragging him to a dark area where they covered his mouth with a scarf to prevent him from raising the alarm.
The gang then used an unidentified sharp object to cut through the screen door and break the locks before forcing their way into the bar. They also broke the counter screen lock, ransacked the premises and stole US$315 in cash, several crates of beer and cartons of cigarettes before fleeing, leaving the doors wide open.
Maziveyi was later rescued by a passer-by Tinashe Mupambwa, who untied him before the matter was reported to ZRP Dangamvura. Police officers from ZRP Dangamvura, CID Mutare and the Mutare Canine Unit attended the scene. No arrests have been made, while investigations are continuing.
Maziveyi was taken to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital for treatment. The latest robbery has heightened anxiety among Dangamvura residents, who say they have been living in fear as robberies, assaults and other violent crimes continue to increase in the suburb.
In response to the rising crime police on Sunday July 5 held a community crime prevention campaign in Gwinyiro, Dangamvura.
Speaking during the campaign, the Officer Commanding Mutare Central District, Chief Superintendent Rosum Shonhiwa, urged residents to work closely with the Zimbabwe Republic Police in the fight against crime.
He encouraged members of the public to remain vigilant and report criminal activities without delay. He also raised awareness on offences including robbery, rape, murder and missing persons, while urging parents to safeguard their children, communities to revive neighbourhood watch committees and residents to resolve disputes peacefully.
Chief Superintendent Shonhiwa reaffirmed the police’s commitment to community policing, saying safer communities can only be achieved through strong cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the public.
