HARARE — Zimbabwean police have arrested a 38-year-old man over the August killing of businessman Joseph Mutangadura at his Ruwa home and three other suspects linked to a spate of armed robberies in Bulawayo.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said in a statement Saturday that detectives nabbed Phillip Mutasa, 38, on October 3 in Mkoba Six, Gweru, after information “linked the suspect to the murder and robbery cases” at Mutangadura Hideout along Dunstan Road in Ruwa on 17 August 2025.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Phillip Mutasa (38) in connection with the robbery and murder of Joseph Mutangadura (67) which occurred at Mutangadura Hideout along Dunstan Road, Ruwa, Harare on 17th August 2025,”
Nyathi said. “The suspect implicated seven accomplices who are on the run.”
Meanwhile in Bulawayo, detectives on the same day arrested Nehemiah Dladla (38) after a speed chase in Mbundane, Simon Dube (28) near Nketa Six Service Station, and Sekai Vhumbunu (45), an alleged illegal money-changer accused of tipping off robbers about victims’ cash movements.
Nyathi said the trio was linked to robberies between 25 June and 3 October 2025, including Friday’s daylight holdup near a shop along Leopold Takawira Avenue where US $36 000 and a cellphone were stolen.
The arrests led to the recovery of US $2 000 and the suspects’ getaway Toyota Fortuner, police said.
“Investigations by the police established that Sekai Vumbunu, who is an illegal money changer, supplied information to the other suspects concerning the movement and cash transactions of their targets,”
Nyathi said.
The suspects are accused of four armed-robbery cases, among them an August 10 restaurant robbery at Fife Street and 12th Avenue in which US $4 000 and ZAR 60 000 were stolen, and a September 3 raid at Nkolozi Investments in which US $16 668 and ZAR 151 800 were taken.
Nyathi urged continued public cooperation: “The Zimbabwe Republic Police applauds the public for providing positive information which led to the arrest of the suspects. Members of the public should continue supplying information regarding criminal activities nationwide on National Complaints Desk number (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp 0712 800197 or report at any nearest Police Station.”
