By A Correspondent

In a dramatic turn of events on March 18, 2025, six armed robbery suspects met their end following a shootout with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) near the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road tollgate.

The suspects had spent the previous day surveilling the Young Money General Dealer Shop in Insuza, where they consumed alcohol and observed the shop’s activities. Later that evening, they launched an attack on two individuals at the shop, binding their hands with electric cables, covering their faces with blankets, and demanding gold and cash. The assailants ransacked the premises, seizing an undisclosed sum of money, groceries, a 48-volt lithium battery, an inverter, an amplifier, a nine-kilogram gas tank, and several cellphones. They loaded these items into a silver Honda Fit (registration number AEY 4843) and fled the scene.

Acting on a tip-off, detectives spotted the suspects’ vehicle traveling toward the tollgate in the early hours of the morning. When ordered to stop, the suspects instead opened fire, leading to a shootout during which they collided with the tollgate’s boom gate. The suspects were apprehended and transported to the United Bulawayo Hospitals but were pronounced dead upon arrival.

Authorities recovered two pistols with live rounds, two gas-operated stoves, two knives, an axe, and some of the stolen property, including groceries, a lithium battery, an inverter, a gas tank, and an amplifier.

The ZRP has reiterated its commitment to combating armed robbery syndicates and assures the public that any confrontations with criminals will be met with appropriate measures. Investigations are ongoing to determine if the suspects were involved in other criminal activities.

The ZRP urges businesses and residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to local law enforcement. This incident underscores the importance of community cooperation in ensuring public safety and security.