Harare South Showdown: Police Successfully Apprehend Armed Robbery Suspects in Southlea Park

The Zimbabwe Republic Police gunned down two armed robbers in Southlea Park after a dramatic shootout.

The incident occurred yesterday, 17 October 2023, at Manyame River. Police had arrested the armed robbers, Israel Zulu (50) and David Dausi Takawira (43), in Mutare on 16 October. The suspects had accompanied the Police to Southlea Park to show them where they hid their guns.

In a statement shared on X, the ZRP Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi revealed:

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“The suspects revealed to detectives from CID Homicide, Harare, that they hid firearms in a bushy area near Manyame River, Southlea Park. Upon arrival at the scene, the suspects tried to escape while taking advantage of the current weather, leading to a shootout. Subsequently, the detectives shot the suspects and were taken to Sally Mugabe Hospital, where they died upon admission.”

Armed Robbers In Southlea Park
Police Gun Gown Two Armed Robbers In Southlea Park [Image: Tafadzwa Ufumeli Getty Images]

The robbers were part of a gang that executed ten armed robberies between 2019 and October 2022.

The Police further explained:

“The suspects and their accomplices are linked to ten armed robbery cases which occurred between 2019 and October 2022 in Harare and Bulawayo, including a case of robbery which occurred on 13 November 2019 at business premises along College Road in Mt Pleasant, Harare, where a security guard was attacked before US$ 362 000 and ZWL$ 28 539 cash were stolen.

Shootouts On The Rise In Zimbabwe
This is not the first time the Police have exchanged deadly gunfire with daring armed robbers. In August this year, two police officers were left severely wounded in Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park suburb during an operation to apprehend an armed robbery suspect. The robber, Simelweyinkosi Dube, was hiding at his girlfriend’s place.

-Iharare