Three suspected armed robbers were apprehended in Bulawayo after one of them mistakenly left his wallet at the crime scene, leading to their arrest.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) reported that the incident took place at Bambanani Shopping Centre in Gumtree on February 2, 2025, around 8 AM.
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The arrested suspects have been identified as Hopewell Ndlovu (32) from Pelandaba West, Emmanuel Masuku (29), also known as Mayibongwe, and Israel Zikhali (26) from Pumula South. However, a fourth suspect, Mpumelelo Mafu, remains at large.
Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele explained that the wallet left behind helped authorities trace Ndlovu, leading to his arrest. This development also facilitated the recovery of weapons used in the robbery and the identification of his accomplices.
Police recovered an Okapi knife, the clothing worn during the crime, and several stolen cellphones. Further investigations led to the seizure of a .303 rifle without a butt, a pistol lacking a magazine or ammunition, and additional stolen devices.
Msebele added that the suspects were armed during the robbery and threatened the shopkeeper and employees, forcing them to comply. One of the robbers then stole approximately US$700 in cash and US$200 worth of NetOne and Econet airtime.
The criminals also took multiple cellphones, including an Itel P38 (black), an iPhone 11 (silver-black), two small black Itel phones, and four other unidentified phones that belonged to customers who had left them charging in the shop. They fled the scene via Old Esigodini Road.
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