A Montana Meats driver was waylaid by suspected robbers, pepper-sprayed and robbed of US$10 000 near Cement Siding on the outskirts of Bulawayo, Thursday while travelling to Kwekwe to purchase meat, police have confirmed.
The driver, who was not named, was left unconscious on the side of the road while the robbers who were travelling in a silver Honda Fit disappeared with the loot.
Bulawayo Acting police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident saying investigations in the matter are ongoing.
“On 18 February 2021 at around 1500 hours, complainant a male adult aged 38 years residing in Sizinda, Bulawayo and is employed as a driver by Montana meats, located at number 3 Cardiff Road, Belmont, Bulawayo was driving a company vehicle, a white UD container truck registration number ADF 9545 belonging to Montana meats from Bulawayo to Kwekwe,” said Assistant Inspector Msebele.
“After crossing Umguza river driving towards Kwekwe just before Cement side, a silver unregistered Honda fit blocked the complainant`s vehicle. Complainant reduced the speed and disembarked from the truck in a bid to ask the accused persons why they were blocking his way. One of the accused persons disembarked from the Honda fit and sprayed on the complainant`s face with a pepper spray and he became unconscious.”
Assistant Inspector Msebele said around 1530 hours, ZRP Cement siding base received an anonymous call to the effect that there was a person who was lying helplessly along the road.
“ZRP Cement side base attended the scene and it was observed that the complainant was lying on the ground by the side of the road and was crying for help. Complainant was unable to open his eyes and could not talk properly. An empty pepper spray was recovered at the scene but the accused persons were not located.
“The company manager was contacted and he attended the scene, he was handed over the truck. The Manager was interviewed and he stated that the driver was given US$10 000 for payment and collection of meat from Kwekwe. The total value of the stolen property is US$10 000-00 and nothing was recovered,” she added.
