A 33-year-old man is in a critical condition in hospital after he was shot repeatedly while attempting to fend off armed robbers at his home in Bulawayo.
The victim, a resident of the Pelandaba West suburb, was attacked in the early hours of Thursday morning after confronting a gang that had broken into his property.
Bulawayo police confirmed they are treating the incident, which took place at approximately 02:35 on 29 January, as a case of attempted murder and armed robbery.
According to police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, the victim was woken by the sound of metal being cut. When he went to investigate, he found two men using a bolt cutter to bypass the security bars on his kitchen window.
After the intruders forced their way inside, a violent confrontation ensued.
“The complainant wrestled with an accused person who was holding a pistol,” Inspector Msebele said. “This resulted in the accused shooting him in the inner thigh, his back, his arm, and his hand.”
The attackers fled the scene shortly after the shots were fired. It is currently unclear if any property was stolen during the raid.
The victim remains in a local hospital where his condition is described as serious.
Police have launched a manhunt for the two suspects and are appealing to the public for any information that could lead to an arrest. However, Inspector Msebele issued a stark warning to residents regarding personal safety during home invasions.
“We urge members of the public not to resist when confronted by armed criminals, as this might result in fatalities,” she added.
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