BULAWAYO – One of the suspects in Monday night’s murder of a police officer in Bulawayo’s Luveve suburb was later killed in a shootout with detectives, police confirmed on Tuesday.
Constable Gibson Tafara Madzimure, 35, was shot in the head during a coordinated police operation to intercept armed robbers who had targeted an illegal foreign currency dealer.
The armed robbers followed Last Mukomawashe, 29, to his home in New Luveve at about 7PM on Monday. Police, acting on a report Mukomawashe had earlier filed, positioned themselves inside and outside his house.
When Mukomawashe opened his gate and went inside followed by one of the suspects, Constable Madzimure who was outside followed them in but was shot by one of the suspects from the back. The three suspected armed robbers then fled on foot.
Police received information that one of the suspects had been seen getting a lift from a VW Golf heading towards the city centre.
Police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “Police intercepted the suspects at Unity Village (corner Joshua Mqabuko and 6th Avenue) and in the process a shootout ensued leading to the death of one of the suspects at the scene.
“The other suspects ran away and the police recovered a Star pistol with 9mm x 6 rounds of ammunition and a CZ pistol with a magazine of 10 rounds.”
Police also recovered the VW Golf which had no number plates for forensic analysis.
Nyathi said the Commissioner General of police Godwin Matanga “expresses his heartfelt condolences to the Madzimure family on the untimely death of Constable Madzimure.”
“Police will leave no stone unturned until all culprits involved in the death of Constable Madzimure are brought to book,” Nyathi said.
Constable Madzimure was on the Police Special Tactics Team based at Fairbridge.
Police have appealed for the public’s help in apprehending the other suspects. Call Bulawayo Operations on 029274525 or WhatsApp National Complaints Desk 0712800197
