Police in Harare shot dead one armed robber while four of his accomplioces were arrested following an intense exchange of fire between the cops and the robbers at the Harare Exhibition Centre this week.

The deceased has been identified as Meluleki Makhalima.

Zimbabwe police authorities reported that the armed robbers were using two getaway vehicles- a Volkswagen Polo with a South African number plate and another, a navy blue Toyota Corolla.

In a statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) reported that the Volkswagen Polo was found dumped in the agrarian town of Norton near the capital Harare.

The late Makhalima’s other accomplices who have since been arrested include, Thulani Maphosa (30), Dalubuhle Ndlovu (36), Michael Khauyiso (47), and Precious Dube (40).

Said the ZRP:

“A South African registered VW Polo (FJ03FMGP) was used as the first getaway car and was dumped at a certain house in Norton by yet to be identified male and female suspects on March 31 2022.”

The police further quipped that:

“The robbers requested to leave their car for safekeeping on the pretext that it had developed a mechanical fault and they were going to look for a mechanic.”

According to the ZRP, recovered items also included towels, sandals, clothes, bank cards, cellphones, reflective triangles, tackles, sports jerseys, HIV testing kits, South African working permits and a passport.

Zwnews