TWO more private colleges in Ruwa and Gweru lost nearly US$17 500 cash to robbers who raided their premises recently, with police suspecting that the thieves could be working with staff.
In Gweru, five robbers attacked security guards and staff
when they broke into Sacred Heart College on Wednesday, stealing US$15 886,
club funds, personal staff cash, laptops and CCTV equipment.
In Ruwa, six robbers got away with property and cash worth
US$1 500 from Ariel Primary School on December 29.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul
Nyathi said investigations were still in progress.
Fees have been flooding into schools, and not all the money
paid in cash is banked daily, opening opportunities for theft and robbery.
In a notice to parents, Sacred Heart College school board
chairman Mr Walter Nemasisi said the pupils and staff were safe.
“I wish to inform you about an unfortunate break-in
incident that took place in the early hours of today, Wednesday January 10,
2024. Thieves broke in targeting all our offices. At this stage what we know is
that some school fees received in the late afternoon from about three parents,
club funds, personal monies of our staff, a few laptops and CCTV equipment were
stolen.
“The matter is now in the hands of the police who have
already started doing their investigations. All our students and resident staff
are safe. The normal schooling programme was not affected. We want to assure
you that circumstances notwithstanding everything is under control,” he said.
In Ruwa, Ariel Primary School, chairman of governors
Advocate Thembinkosi Magwaliba told parents in a statement that a gang of six
robbers targeted the houses of the head Ms Judith Bates and her deputy Ms Sarah
Bennett where they fired shots before ransacking the premises. No one was
injured during the attack.
“On the night of the 29th of December 2023, there was a
criminal incident at the school, at Ms Bates and Ms Bennett’s private
residences. We are, however, extremely thankful that no one was seriously hurt
or injured.
“Six men armed with guns and other weapons attacked Ms
Bates’ residence at about 9pm. They fired shots into her house through the
bedroom window, forcing her out, ransacking the house as well as Miss Bennett’s
house.
“The armed men forced Ms Bates into the back of her
personal vehicle along with the two security guards and her partner forcing her
to deactivate the alarms once at the school office, where the bursar’s office
was turned upside down.
“Ms Bates along with the above mentioned three were
abducted in her car,” he said.
Advocate Magwaliba said the robbers proceeded to commit
another armed robbery along Tarisa Road in Ruwa, where a shoot-out occurred.
“The four were abandoned together with the car in Harare
along Harare Drive as the robbers fled. A report was made to the police who are
still investigating the case along with homicide and the crimes unit. We will
advise you of any developments in due course. There was minimal loss of
property and cash worth US$1 500 between the three crimes scenes.
“We are reviewing the security situation at the school and
will implement additional measures to improve the security of our members of
staff and the school property. Kindly note Ms Bates is on leave, after this
very traumatic incident and will return on a date to be advised in due course.
“We kindly request that she be given privacy during this
time. In the interim Ms Bennett will be in the office from January 3, 2024 and
will be running the day-to-day aspects of the school,” he said.
On Tuesday night, Lomagundi College near Chinhoyi was also
the scene of a brazen robbery as 10 armed robbers held staff members’ hostage
before breaking into offices where they stole pistols from the security team,
an undisclosed amount of cash, laptops and cellphones.
The robbers loaded the loot into a Mazda Tribute vehicle
belonging to the school deputy head, Mr Tendai Masombo, before speeding off.
Although no school funds were taken, an undisclosed amount
of money belonging to staff members was taken, and the police are now
investigating the incident.
Police in Bulawayo are also investigating a case of
unlawful entry and theft which occurred at a school at the intersection of
George Silundika Street and N. K. Ndlovu Avenue (formerly Third Avenue) this
week.
The yet unknown suspects broke into the school offices and
stole US$17 280 cash which was in a cash box.
Last Friday, a lone armed robber raided a private college
in Masvingo while purporting to be looking for a Form One place before
vanishing with over US$22 800.
The robber attacked a victim before stealing the money, two
cellphones and two laptops.
Yesterday, Asst Comm Nyathi said schools should deposit all
cash at banks to curb such cases.
“School authorities are also urged to step up security
measures at schools and employ guards from reputable security service providers
who constantly monitor and review deployments. Above all, school authorities
should install CCTV at points of entry and administration offices.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is concerned that some of
these robbery cases are resulting from leakage of information. Members of the
public are warned that those who provide inside information to robbery
syndicates will be arrested. Police crack teams are firm on the ground and will
pounce on armed robbery syndicates for the law to take its course in earnest,”
he said.
A manhunt has since been launched for the robbers. Herald
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