NORTON — Two commuters fell prey to armed robbers after they were offered lifts at the Harare Showgrounds before they were robbed of their property near Norton in two separate incidents.
REPORT BY OWN CORRESPONDENT
Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara confirmed the robberies, urging the public to take down registration numbers of vehicles in which they would have been offered lifts.
In the first incident which occurred on May 18 at around 5pm, police said the complainant, Joshua Chipako (32) of Plot 3075, Paarl Farm, Selous, boarded a white kombi with 12 occupants, eight males and four females, at Harare Showgrounds en route to Norton.
Along the way, at Chibero College turn-off, the driver allegedly diverted into a side road and drove for about seven kilometres before stopping at a secluded place. Three men then produced knives and threatened to stab Chipako before demanding his valuables. Chipako surrendered $300 cash and bags containing clothes. The gang then sped off from the scene leaving him stranded. Chipako walked back to the main road where he was assisted with transport by a well-wisher to ZRP Saruwe where he made a report.
In another incident that happened on May 20, Munamato Damba (32) of Karoro village, Chief Pakame, Zvishavane, was offered a lift in a white Toyota Noah with three people on board at the Harare Showgrounds.
On approaching the 62km peg along the Harare-Bulawayo Road, the car was driven into a dust road near Graniteside Farm before the gang turned on him and demanded his property which included a Nokia phone, 10x 2kg sugar packets, a bag containing clothes and $20. Police said they were still investigating both incidents.
