By Own Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Republic Police has launched a manhunt for suspected armed robbers who shot dead Karoi businessman on Thursday before getting away with money.

In a statement on Friday night ZPR Chief Supt Paul Nyathi confirmed the death of Karoi businessman, Ashwin Rama who operated a wholesale in the farming town, about 204 kilometres north-west of Karoi town.

The four armed robbers were armed with pistols and an AK47 gun when they broke the security gate where an 88 year old guard was on site.

They later approached a woman worker doing her daily stock take and stuck her with an iron bar. Three other workers were assaulted during the robbery.

They took $1 598.00 and later proceeded to demand money from the now deceased.

He resisted giving them the safe key. They then hit him on the head and he suffered multiple injuries.

They later shot him on the leg before breaking the safe.

Rama passed on after arrival in Harare where he had been transferred, police confirmed last night.

National police spokesperson Chief Supt Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and said they are investigating the robbery at the location where they stole $1598.00 from one of the workers and undisclosed amount from the  safe.

In a statement late last night, Chief Sup Nyathi said, ‘The suspects were wielding a pistol and AK47 gun and were driving a black car believed to be a Toyota Wish car.’

He warned business-people to step up security in their premises. ‘Where possible businessmen must have CCTV to enhance security,’ said Chief Supt Nyathi.

He also confirmed a murder incident in Runyowa village in Gutu where a 38 year old herdboy struck his 58 year old employer with an axe, just six months into his employment.

Nyath said, ‘we encourage employers to vet herd men as the motive of the murder is not known. We call upon business to step up security of their premises.”