Robbers raid Nyazura service station, get away wit...

Robbers raid Nyazura service station, get away with US$5.6k

Zim Now Writer

A gang of five armed robbers last Saturday raided Energy Park Service Station in Nyazura and got away with US$5 600 in cash.

The robbers also hijacked a pirate taxi which they used as a getaway vehicle and kidnapped its driver.

They reportedly fired two shots to subdue staff of the service station and forced them to load the safe into the getaway car.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Norbert Muzondo confirmed the robbery and said police are working to bring the suspects to book.

“On November 26, five unknown armed robbers approached two security guards, Mr Denzel Takuaranei and Mr Josiah Mazuri at Energy Park Service Station asking for water. They indicated that their motor vehicle, a silver Mercedes’ Benz C200, Registration Number AFL 0597, was over-heating. They were told that there was no water at the service station.

They reportedly asked to leave their car at the service station for safekeeping and were charged US$2 by Mr Mazuri.

“They asked for change from a fuel attendant, Mr Revai Chibore. Three of the suspects then produced rifles and Mr Chibore fled and locked himself in a toilet. One of the suspects fired two shot shots through the toilet door as he ordered Mr Chibore to open the door. He, however, refused,” said Inspector Muzondo.

One of the robbers took a hammer from their vehicle and struck the door open then force-marched the guards into the toilet before ordering them to down. They reportedly assaulted them heavily and left one gang member in the toilet, guarding the staff, while the others went to the manager’s office which was unlocked.

Inspector Muzondo said the robbers approached a pirate taxi driver, Munyaradzi Stacia, who was sleeping in a Toyota Noah vehicle.

“As they were negotiating the fee, the robbers produced their rifles and ordered him to get out of the car. They dragged him to the back seat of the vehicle. The robbers then loaded the safe into Mr Stacia’s vehicle.

“They drove the two cars towards Rusape and upon reaching the 185.5km peg, they offloaded the safe and rolled it in the bush. Some of the suspects were left behind while pounding the safe. Some of the robbers drove into Tiny Road for about 300m before dumping Mr Stacia and his vehicle,” said Inspector Muzondo.

The robbers then reportedly made a U-turn and drove towards where they had left their colleagues but the driver failed to negotiate a curve and encroached into the opposite lane when they reached the 184km peg.

He side-swiped a Harare-bound bus and the vehicle veered off the road and the gang abandoned the vehicle before disappearing into the bush.

“A total of US$5 595 was stolen and nothing was recovered. The Toyota Noah vehicle, valued at US$4 000, was recovered,” said Inspector Muzondo.