Female robber gunned down in high-speed chase

Lloyd Ndemo

Police in Zimbabwe on Wednesday exchanged gunfire with armed robbers in a high-speed chase in the capital, Harare.

The robbers had been cornered in Kuwadzana 1 suburb after dropping a cellular phone at their latest crime scene.

One of them, a woman, was fatally shot in the chest as the gang tried to out-fox detectives.

Seven others were eventually arrested.

Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said detectives were on to the robbers after they hit a home in Marimba suburb; making off with US$500, a television set and cellular phone.

“We confirm the arrest of Kudzanai Manyonga(35); Tonica Farai Msoro (27); Prosper Magwejani (44); Gilbert Chikukwa (54); Chancellor Thandi (40); Robinson Chinhuka (42) and Amiah Chayi (18) on the 23rd of March for a spate of armed robberies which occurred in Harare, Mutoko, Macheke and other areas.”

According to Asst-Comm Nyathi, the robbers stormed a house in Marimba, armed with a hammer, bolt-cutter and pistol.

They allegedly scared away curious neighbours by firing shots into the air.

One of them, however, dropped a cellphone with vital clues as their getaway car sped off from the scene.

“The suspects dropped a stolen television and a cellphone belonging to one of the gang members at the scene. Investigations by police led to the identification of one of the suspects through the dropped cellphone.”

Asst-Comm Nyathi said detectives traced the suspects to Kuwadzana 1 suburb on Wednesday.

“Upon discovering that they had been cornered, the suspects drove away in their vehicle and a chase ensued. The suspects fired shots at detectives, resulting in a shootout.

“They stopped their vehicle, leading to their arrest and recovery of a Smith and Wesson pistol with three rounds. It was also established that one of the suspects, Lucy Nyakudza, had a wound on her chest. She was rushed to Sally Mugabe Hospital where she was pronounced dead.”