Two security guards were shot in separate incidents by armed robbers on Tuesday night.
At approximately 8:30 PM, a gang of seven men targeted a liquor wholesale store along Khami Road in Kelvin North.
They demanded to know where the company kept its cash. One security guard was reportedly shot while attempting to escape, and another employee, who was offloading liquor from a truck, was struck on the back of the head with an unknown object.
About 30 minutes later, at a nearby garage in Kelvin North, a gang armed with a rifle carried out another robbery. They reportedly shot a security guard before disarming him of his revolver and stealing cash and valuables.
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Bulawayo acting police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, confirmed the incidents.
“Police are investigating a case of armed robbery that occurred at a liquor wholesale situated along Khami Road in Kelvin North, Bulawayo. The suspects are seven unknown male adults,” she said.
According to Asst Insp Msebele, the suspects, armed with a rifle, entered the wholesale premises by jumping over the perimeter wall and confronted a security guard at the main gate.
“They demanded to know where the company’s cash was kept. The guard, terrified, attempted to flee but was shot at. While escaping, he was struck with an unknown object, causing a head injury,” she said.
The gang reportedly encountered another employee offloading liquor and hit him on the head with an unidentified object before entering the warehouse, where they forced employees to lie down at gunpoint. They stole US$521, ZAR200, and several bottles of whiskey.
At the garage, two masked suspects approached a female petrol attendant under the guise of purchasing fuel. One carried a metal container, while the other brandished a rifle.
“The accomplice, armed with the rifle, shot the security guard as he tried to flee, hitting him in the back. They then disarmed him of his revolver, overpowered the employees present, and stole US$681 and cellphones,” Asst Insp Msebele said.
The police are intensifying efforts to apprehend armed robbers who have been targeting small businesses and fuel stations in Bulawayo. Recently, an eight-member gang was arrested and is currently in custody awaiting trial.
Asst Insp Msebele advised business owners to avoid keeping large sums of cash on their premises as such robberies are on the rise.
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