A suspected carjacker was fatally shot by police in Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park suburb on Thursday during a high-speed chase.
National Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the suspect, Butho Moyo (37) was shot while in the company of his partner, Otilia Ncube (46).
According to the police, Moyo is part of a syndicate that has been stealing Honda Fit vehicles around the city for a period extending from October and December 2023.
Nyathi said Moyo was shot in the back and died upon admission to Mpilo Hospital while Ncube was shot in the stomach and is recovering at the same health institution.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the death of Butho Moyo and arrest of Otilia Ncube during a shooting incident which occurred at V Mhlope High School turn-off, Bulawayo on 14 December 2023 after detectives from CID Vehicle theft squad had received information which linked Moyo to spate of theft of motor vehicle cases which occurred during the period extending from October 2023 to December 2023 in Bulawayo,” Nyathi said.
“The detectives made a follow-up and tracked Moyo to Cowdray Park. He was in the company of Ncube. He was seen driving a Honda Fit vehicle, registration number AEH 4643, stolen at Lobels Bread, Belmont, Bulawayo, on 14 December 2023. Moyo was ordered to stop but he refused to comply and accelerated towards the Caravan area.”
AssComm Nyathi said a speed chase ensued resulting in Moyo being shot in the back whilst Otilia Moyo was shot in the stomach.
“The suspects are clearing five cases of theft of Honda Fit vehicles including a case of theft of a Honda Fit vehicle, registration number AEI 0983, which occurred on 30th October 2023 at a house along Firlane Road, Newton West, Bulawayo and another case of theft of a Honda Fit vehicle, registration number AEB 6817, Which occurred at a house in Mzilikazi, Bulawayo on 3 November 2023,” Nyathi said.
“The Police are concerned with the involvement of foreign nationals in some of the robbery cases. A case in point is the Kadoma-Chegutu shootout and the Victoria Falls incident where some foreign nationals ran away after a shooting incident. ZRP has intensified operations targeting criminal syndicates throughout the country, assuring the public that it will account for all criminals and ensure the law takes its course.”
