A 34-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly murdering his uncle and committing a series of armed robbery cases across the country including car-hijacking.
Amos George Mutamba (34) was arrested Tuesday in Mwenezi after robbing a Mukuru outlet and a supermarket of more than ZAR 15 000 plus US$2 000.
Sources close to the investigations told CITE that Mutamba had been on the police wanted list for at least six counts of armed robbery crimes committed at the beginning of September to date.
Some of the criminal cases were committed in Bulawayo while others were carried out in Mwenezi, Bikita and Zaka, sources added.
“On September 5, 2021, Mutamba invaded the house of a money changer in Cowdray Park, Bulawayo and demanded cash. He was given ZAR 7500 and US$70 before he ransacked the house. Mutamba also stole airtime recharge cards worth US$70,” sources said.
“On the same day, Mutamba broke into another house in the same suburb belonging to another money changer. The victim tried to escape but Mutamba pursued him and shot him. Mutamba then dragged the victim back to the house, took cash and cell phones before fleeing the scene.”
Sources narrated that on September 7, 2021, Mutamba went to Emily Rupanga’s home in Zaka where he robbed her at gunpoint.
He went away with ZAR11 000, USD$1 700 and two cell phones valued at ZAR4 000.
“On September 26, 2021, the accused hired a Toyota Probox motor vehicle at Chikuku Business Centre to Zvinoitavamwe Business Centre Bikita but along the way, shot the driver on the left hand and leg. He hijacked the motor vehicle and dumped the complainant and drove the vehicle off,” sources said.
“On September 27, 2021, Mutamba went to Neshuro Business Centre in Mwenezi where he shot a security guard at Chingwanga Shop. He stole cash amounting to ZAR20 000, US$400 and cell phones valued at US$50. He further proceeded to Mai Tina Shop where he fired some shots in the air and took ZAR 1000 and a cell phone valued at ZAR800.”
Sources further stated that on October 5, 2021, Mutamba visited his uncle, Mutero Gwangu and when he was with him a misunderstanding arose.
Mutamba then shot Gwangu where he died on the spot.
“On October 6, 2021 Mutamba went to Mukuru shop which is housed at N&R shop in Zaka where he fired some shots and took ZAR100 000 and a cell phone valued at ZAR8 000. He also threatened till operators in the N&R shop and took USD$1795, RTGS$21 460 and an Itel cell phone valued at ZAR4 500 and went away in the Toyota Probox. He was arrested a few days later leading to the recovery of the stolen vehicle and the pistol used to commit the offenses.”
