THE mention of his name sends chills across the neighbourhood.
But residents last week rejoiced after police details — in a movie style — managed to pin down one of the most notorious and violent delinquents in Chitungwiza in a movie style.
It took three brave police officers, Sergeants Kennedy Mhundwa, Manners Muzondo and Constable Farai Kamvura, from St Mary’s Police Station to arrest Alois Luciano, also known as Blah Matsotsi.
Having terrorised residents in St Marys, Zengeza and Manyame Park, Blah Matsotsi was also known for possessing extra-ordinary power, over powering his victims and evading arrest with ease.
According to witnesses, his arrest happened “movie style”.
Police were alerted that Bla Matsotsi attacked his neighbour, Nocry Gahadzikwa, with an Okapi knife after the latter asked for his money which he had lent him.
Earlier, Bla Matsotsi had threatened to attack his own mother and brother during the same incident.
According to onlookers, when police arrived at his house and confronted him, Bla Matsotsi ran into his room soon after the law enforcement agents had identified themselves.
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He came out armed with two Okapi knives and a hockey stick which he used to attack the three police details, who retaliated before forcibly disarming him and subsequently arrested him.
“It was like we were watching a movie. Bla Matsotsi reacted like he was possessed although police later managed to handle the situation,” said a witness, who spoke on condition of anonymity fearing victimisation as Bla Matsotsi is said to have always threatened his victims with death if anyone reported him to the police.
“We thank God that he has been arrested now.
“We have been living in fear because of this guy.
“No one liked him in this community, not even his relatives.”
A source from the police said Bla Matsotsi and his colleagues had been a menace, disturbing people’s peace in St Mary’s, especially in his neighbourhood.
“We have been hearing so many stories about this guy and other cases and it is just unfortunate that the affected were not forthcoming to report these cases to the police,” the source said.
“We have been digging in though and we will not stop until all the culprits are brought to book.
“There is another case this year, registered 191/06/24, where Bla Matsotsi is reported to have stabbed a police dog set on him, several times using an Okapi knife at his
home.
“Police then threw a tear canister inside the house to smoke out Bla Matsotsi, who came out and surrendered himself to the police.
“He was charged and convicted on this case.
“We also urge community members to report any suspicious activities and work together with police to keep their neighbourhoods safe.”
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi was not available for comment.
Bla Matsotsi was taken to court last Saturday, where he was remanded in custody to pave way for further investigations after it was discovered that he had 15 other pending cases, which include an assault charge on police committed on the day of his arrest.
He is also said to have skipped the border from South Africa, where he is on the police wanted list for suspected robberies and murder charges.
Community members welcomed his arrest and thanked the police for a job well executed.
“We are extremely happy that finally Bla Matsotsi has been arrested,” one resident said.
“We have been living in fear for too long.
“What we now plead with the police is to track down and arrest his colleagues, who are still roaming the streets, and to arrest all drug dealers as it is the root cause of such crimes.”
St Marys ward 1 councillor George Chatanga said: “We wish to thank St Marys Police details, especially Mhundwa, Muzondo and Mamvura for finally managing to apprehend Bla Matsotsi.
“This guy has been terrorising residents for too long. He is my neighbour and stays just behind my house.”
Added Chatanga: “He started stealing at the age of nine.
“His cases are too many, but because his victims were afraid to report him to police as he threatens them with death, with some just afraid of standing in court, he was roaming the streets freely with his colleagues robbing people sometimes in broad daylight.
“Sometime in 2020, Bla Matsotsi skipped the border to South Africa when police pursued him for some alleged robbery cases. He only came back in 2022, but never stopped his deeds.
“He has been remanded in custody after his arrest last week pending investigations of more than 15 cases which were with police.”
Bla Matsotsi is expected back in court soon.
