Six Armed Robbers Killed in Bulawayo Shoot-Out, Police Confirm Arrest in Separate Theft Case

By Ilyana Sithole

There was a pre-dawn gun fight between Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) cops and six robbers who were armed at the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls tollgate, and all six of the robbers were shot dead. This was confirmed in a ZRP press statement, which took place between 2:00 am and 4:00 am.

According to the statement released by Commissioner P. Nyathi, the suspects had spent the previous day monitoring and drinking at Young Money General’s Dealer Shop in Insuza. They later ambushed two complainants, armed with pistols, knives, and axes. The suspects proceeded to tie the complainants’ hands with electric cables, covered their faces with blankets, and demanded gold and cash.

The robbers ransacked the shop, stealing an unknown amount of cash, groceries, a 48-volt lithium battery, an inverter, an amplifier, a nine-kilogram gas tank, and cellphones. They fled the scene in a silver Honda Fit, registration number AEY 4843.

“One of the complainants alerted their employer, who quickly reported the incident to the Police,” stated Commissioner Nyathi. “A check along Victoria Falls Road spotted the Honda Fit vehicle moving towards the toll gate. Detectives ordered the suspects to stop. Instead, the suspects fired shots towards the Police officers, leading to a shoot-out.”

The suspects then rammed through the tollgate boom barrier. All six were apprehended and taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals, where they were pronounced dead. Police recovered two pistols with four live rounds, two gas-operated pistols, two knives, and an axe. A portion of the stolen goods, including groceries, the lithium battery, inverter, gas tank, and amplifier, was also recovered from the vehicle.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that there is no going back in the fight against armed robbery syndicates in the country. Any form of confrontation by criminals will be responded to through appropriate measures,” Commissioner Nyathi emphasized.

In a separate press statement also released by Commissioner Nyathi, the ZRP confirmed the arrest of Tauya Maguwu (38) in connection with a series of unlawful entry and theft cases in and around Bulawayo between January 2021 and March 12, 2025.

Maguwu is linked to seven cases, involving the theft of household goods worth US$3,500. Notably, he is connected to a December 2021 incident in Nketa, where a laptop, decoders, and speakers were stolen, and a March 12, 2025, incident in Sizinda, where a home theatre, blankets, and a television were stolen.

Police have recovered property worth US$1,900 from Maguwu. “The Zimbabwe Republic Police commends the public for providing information that led to the arrest of the suspect,” stated Commissioner Nyathi.
“Members of the public should feel free to report criminal activities on the National Complaints Desk number, (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp 0712 800 197 or report at any nearest police station.”