However, the
rest of the gang remains on the loose and armed to the teeth.
Police arrested
Nhlanhla Ncube following a tip-off.
The Homicide
Section swooped in on Ncube’s hideout in Cowdray Park suburb and dragged him
into custody. His arrest has sparked a citywide manhunt for his dangerous
partners in crime: Learnmore Sibanda, Maxwell Moyo and Farai Sibanda.
Bulawayo police
spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the arrest and urged members
of the public to assist in tracking down the remaining suspects.
“We confirm the
arrest of one suspect involved in a spate of armed robberies across Bulawayo.
We appeal to anyone with information on the whereabouts of the other suspects
to come forward,” said Inspector Msebele.
According to a
police source, the gang first struck last Tuesday around 10:50 PM, storming
into a packed sports bar in Tshabalala suburb just before closing time. Armed
with pistols and knives, the gang ordered everyone to lie down.
“One of them
leapt behind the till and grabbed US$1,000, two cellphones and two bottles of
whiskey before fleeing into the dark,” said the source.
Barely an hour
later, the crew hit another bar in Nketa suburb. Once again, guns were drawn,
and patrons were forced to the floor.
“They
threatened to kill the bartender when she said she didn’t have access to the
safe,” the source revealed. “But after ransacking the premises, they found keys
to the strong room and helped themselves to US$190. They also looted phones and
wallets from the terrified patrons.”
And the crime
spree didn’t stop there.
On 16 March,
the same gang reportedly descended on a Cowdray Park sports bar, repeating
their violent tactics. Patrons were again held at gunpoint, and the robbers
made off with all the cash on site.
“These guys
were fearless. They didn’t even wear masks. They were moving around like they
owned the night,” said a barman who witnessed the Cowdray Park raid.
The city is now
on high alert as police tighten the noose around the remaining suspects.
Meanwhile, terrified bar owners are beefing up security and closing earlier.
“They don’t
just rob you. They humiliate and terrify you. It’s a nightmare,” said a
bartender who narrowly escaped the Tshabalala raid.
Police are
urging anyone with information about the three fugitives to report immediately.
The hunt is on, and Bulawayo won’t sleep easy until the guns and knives gang is
behind bars. B Metro
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