VILLAGERS in Gwanda South are living in fear after some daring armed robbers last week pounced on Chief Marupi’s homestead and robbed him off his newly allocated Isuzu double-cab official vehicle, R2 700 and two mobile phones.
Police said they have since launched investigations after armed gunmen stormed Chief Marupi’s homestead and robbed him.
The 28-year-old traditional leader received the official vehicle a fortnight ago from government during a ceremony officiated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Harare.
Police national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said Chief Marupi arrived home late on Thursday and retired to bed before he was woken up by two men wearing balaclavas and armed with guns.
They entered his bedroom and demanded cash and other valuables.
“They took R2 700, two mobile phones and the vehicle keys before driving away in his official vehicle,” Nyathi said.
Chief Marupi, real name Oaheng Nare, was installed in 2012, after succeeding his father Lawrence Marupi, who died in 2008.
His subjects, through the Gwanda Anti-Stock Theft Association (GASTA), which usually fights stocktheft and other criminal activities in the area, said they were living in fear after the robbery.
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GASTA Diaspora chairperson Victor Vodloza Sibanda said the villagers in Gwanda South and other surrounding areas were now living in fear following constant and systematic attacks by armed criminals.
“These robbers are targeting shops, schools and other business establishments and in some cases, even some ordinary individuals have fallen prey to those faceless criminals,” he said.
“The robbers are armed with guns, machetes and spears, sending much fear into the hearts of the vulnerable and defenceless communities.”
Sibanda said an elderly man who lost his eye and was left for dead by his assailants who robbed him of his vehicle.
“At Mkhalipe in ward 20, another villager was brutally attacked by these rogue elements and was left helpless,” he said.
“The most disgusting thing about all this is that no one has been apprehended for all these horrific incidents. The perpetrators are still roaming the streets planning their next attacks.
“These criminal activities have been with us for a while now. Previously it was mainly cattle rustling and other livestock related cases, but now the tide has shifted.
“What we are witnessing now is barbaric and we as GASTA call upon members of the communities to unite against these acts of terrorism and work closely with the police and other security organs to combat this act of terror.”
Sibanda said GASTA would leave no stone unturned in its efforts to eradicate the area of criminals targeting the communities.
“We will fight tooth and nail, with no fear and no form of intimidation will deter or hinder us from protecting our communities,” he said.
