The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested five suspects in connection with a series of armed robberies in Harare in which bars, shops, tuckshops and a company in Waterfalls were targeted, with police linking the suspects to seven counts of armed robbery.
In a statement, yesterday, ZRP Commissioner Paul Nyathi identified the suspects as Peter Gawa, 31, Billian Magacha, 31, Taurai Badza, 37, Soneni Maruva, 31, and Calvin Tinashe Langa, 36.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Peter Gawa (31), Billian Magacha (31), Taurai Badza (37), Soneni Maruva (31) and Calvin Tinashe Langa (36) in connection with a series of armed robbery cases which occurred in Harare between 17th July 2026 and 05th August 2026,” Nyathi said.
He said the suspects allegedly targeted commercial establishments and attacked victims before taking cash and other valuables.
“The suspects would use a blue Toyota Passo as their getaway vehicle while armed with a Retay pistol. They targeted bars, shops and tuckshops, where they would attack complainants before stealing cash and other valuables,” Nyathi said.
In one of the cases under investigation, the suspects allegedly raided a company along Simon Mazorodze Road in Waterfalls while armed with two firearms.
Nyathi said two security guards who were on duty during the robbery were attacked and restrained before the suspects made off with property worth approximately US$2 500.
“During the robbery, they attacked two security guards who were on duty, tied their hands and legs with pieces of cloth and stole a generator, three batteries and other valuables with a total value of approximately US$2 500,” he said.
Police investigations have so far linked the five suspects to seven counts of armed robbery, with detectives recovering several items believed to be connected to the cases.
“Among the recovered exhibits is the Retay pistol allegedly used during the robberies, as well as clothing allegedly worn by some of the suspects and captured on CCTV footage from one of the crime scenes” the Commissioner said.
Nyathi commended members of the public for cooperating with police investigations and appealed for continued assistance in tracking down information that could help resolve the cases.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police commends members of the public for their cooperation and urges anyone with information that may assist ongoing investigations to report at any nearest Police Station,” he said.
The arrests are expected to assist investigators in establishing the full extent of the suspects’ alleged involvement in the robbery cases and determining whether they could be linked to other similar offences in Harare.
