Cops injured, girlfriend used as shield in robbers’ shoot-out
Three suspected armed robbers who attacked a family in Gwanda and stole cash, jewellery and firearms have been arrested after a shoot-out with the police in Bulawayo.
One of the suspects, Simelweyinkosi Dube, is still on the run after he escaped using his girlfriend as a human shield from police gunfire at her home in Cowdray Park suburb.
The girlfriend and two police officers were injured and are admitted at Mpilo Central Hospital.
The police have identified the arrested suspects as Alex Cabangani Moyo (37), Vusumuzi Moyo (27) and Mlungisi Sibanda (44).
National Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the suspects raided a family at Insindi Ranch in Gwanda on July 30, 2023, and got away with US$7 800 cash, jewellery worth US$200, a Bulawayo Agricultural Show Society trophy, 15 X 9 mm live ammunition, an FN 9 mm Pistol loaded with 13 rounds, a Cadix 0.38 revolver and an empty magazine.
He said the police acted on received information and tracked down the suspects in Bulawayo.
He said Sibanda was arrested in the city centre on July 31, 2023, and he implicated Cabangani who was arrested in Cowdray Park on August 1, 2023.
He said the police recovered two pellet guns, a 9 mm Pak Retay Mod 92 firearm with five rounds and a Bulawayo Agricultural Show Society trophy from Cabangani.
He said Cabangani then implicated Vusumuzi who was arrested at a house in Nketa 9 after a shoot-out.
He said Vusumuzi then led the police to Dube’s girlfriend’s residence in Cowdray Park where Dube managed to escape after another shoot-out.
He said Dube was using his girlfriend, Siwinile Ndlovu, as a shield during the shoot-out.
He said two detectives, Detective Assistant Inspector Richard Charamba (47) and Detective Constable Albert Madziva (41), as well as Ndlovu were injured and are admitted at Mpilo Hospital.
He appealed to the public for information that may lead to the arrest of Dube whose known residential address is number 5865, Emganwini, Bulawayo.
He warned armed robbery syndicates that the police will not back down in the fight against crime and will respond appropriately to any form of confrontation or resistance.
Cops injured, girlfriend used as shield in robbers’ shoot-out
