BULAWAYO – Two machete-wielding robbers launched a pre-dawn raid on a South African money agent at his homestead in Nkayi and made off with 20,000 rand plus other valuables, police said.
Zephania Sibanda, 60, of Sebhumane village in Gwelutshena sustained head and hand injuries when the still-at-large suspects pounced around 2 am last week.
“They started assaulting him demanding money and one of them struck him in the head with a machete and he fell down. They took away 22,700 rand, Nokia Cellphone, and a speaker box,” said Matabeleland North provincial police spokesperson Glory Banda.
It wasn’t clear which money agency Sibanda worked for.
Banda urged members of the public to take security measures to protect themselves.
“The public should do target hardening like having dogs as they are necessary when it comes to security. Those who live in urban areas have enough lighting outdoors when going to bed and those who can manage install screen doors and have their windows burglar barred,” he said.
Many people in Matabeleland region rely heavily on diaspora remittances sent by relatives from South Africa and other countries across the world.
National police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said last week they were concerned about the increase in armed robberies across the country and urging members of the public to remain vigilant.
“The ZRP has intensified efforts to account for robbery syndicates who are moving around the country attacking members of the public who include motorists, business people, and people walking or moving alone,” he said.
