A TAXI driver here was early yesterday morning gruesomely
killed by a gang of seven armed robbers who later pounced on a money changer
and robbed him of R30 000.
The gang allegedly killed Mr Cliff Chioza and attacked Mr
Rabson Sibanda before robbing him of cash at his home.
It is believed that the gang is part of syndicate targeting
money changers and taxi drivers, mainly those who reside in the town’s western
suburbs.
The incident was the sixth armed robbery in the border town
in two weeks. Sources close to investigations said the suspects attacked Mr
Chioza who was reportedly using a Honda Fit as a metered taxi.
They hired him to an unknown destination. “Indications are
that the suspects stabbed him using a knife near the Mfelandawonye area. His
body had a deep cut on the chest and was lying in a pool of blood,” said the
source.
“There were struggle marks indicating that the deceased
could have tried to fight his assailants. No arrests have been made yet.”
The source said after killing Mr Chioza, the gang drove his
vehicle to Mr Sibanda’s house in the new stands area and laid an ambush for him
as he got out at around 2AM.
The vehicle was later found dumped at Engen Service
Station.
Matabeleland South police spokesperson, Inspector Philisani
Ndebele said he was yet to get details on the two incidents.
“I am yet to get official communication on those issues,”
he said.
and Mr Rabson Sibanda the money changer who was attacked by
the same gang of armed robbers in Beitbridge yesterday
However, Sibanda said in a hospital bedside interview at Beitbridge
District Hospital that seven men attacked him with knives.
“They stabbed me on the left rib cage demanding money. I
screamed and instructed my wife to give them the R30 000 which we had in the
house.
“There were about seven of them surrounding my house. After
getting the money from my wife they stabbed her on the right hand and fled,” he
said.
Neighbours rushed Sibanda to hospital.
Beitbridge District Hospital was a hive of activity yesterday with dozens of money changers
visiting their colleague.
Beitbridge Town Council chairperson, Mrs Showa Moyo said
the level of crime in the area was worrisome.
“Residents are now living in fear because of the upsurge in
cases of violent crime in our town. We are calling on the police to increase
patrols and their visibility in all crime hot spots.
“They should urgently set up police bases at Shule Shule,
Mbedzi, Mashavire and near the Bus Terminus to contain criminal activities in
these areas,” she said.
A fortnight ago, two taxi drivers, a money changer and a
resident were robbed of valuables by an armed gang on the western part of the
town. chronicle
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