Paul Nyathi

Shootouts have become common in Zimbabwe in recent weeks.

The government says there is a sudden uptick in the number of violent crimes involving guns.

Government officials and police are blaming this on the return of what they call hardcore criminals during COVID-19.

These suspects are allegedly based in neighbouring countries, especially South Africa.

Zimbabwe’s Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe said police will deal with the offenders.

“You have seen what happened in Beitbridge, there are so many cases that these fugitives are clashing with police,” Kazembe said.

“I am glad police are doing a good job. We have had people who were on the run for a very long time and known to be serious criminals.”

A week ago, armed men allegedly stormed former Zanu PF commissar Engelbert Rugeje’s house leading to a deadly shootout that involved soldiers who were guarding the property.

One person died during the shootout and another allegedly succumbed to gunshot wounds after he was arrested last week.

Last Thursday, a suspected armed robber was killed by police in a gunfight after he took a Beitbridge family hostage for over 14 hours. In September two men killed a soldier and injured another one in Chivhu after they stormed a police post.

The two, who escaped with two AK-47 rifles, were killed a day later after soldiers were deployed to track them.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police are still investigating the source of the Chivhu firearms.

“We want to know the source of the firearms and if they are firearms at all,” Nyathi said. “We want to establish whether they are toy guns being used to scare people or not.

“We also want to urge firearms owners to make sure their guns are secure and make sure they comply with the terms of the Firearms Act. “This includes company owners so that the firearms do not fall into wrong hands.

One of the intruders at Rugeje’s house was identified as Kudakwashe Mupedzazvose. A Zanu PF youth league membership card belonging to Mupedzazvose was found at the former army boss’s house.

He was arrested with a gunshot wound to the chest but was sent to police holdings cells where he died.

There have been reports of retired and some serving members of the uniformed forces using service guns to engage in criminal activities.

About two weeks ago, two suspected armed robbers believed to be part of a gang that also included an army deserter and an ex-policeman, which had been terrorising residents in and around Belvedere in Harare, were arrested and appeared in court.

Kazembe says Zimbabwe’s government is also working to extradite several former ministers who served under former President Robert Mugabe.

These former government officials have now sought refuge elsewhere, including in South Africa.

The minister says they have cases to answer to.

“Anyone who has a case to answer and who is outside the country is a fugitive. Police are keen to interview them they should come back and clear their names,” Kazembe said.