The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the recovery of four firearms linked to a series of armed robberies that occurred in Harare on the 9th and 10th of October 2024. Among the recovered firearms are a 9mm P38 Walther pistol, an Airgun KWC Super Cat, a Retay MOD 92 P.A.K, and a Retay 84 FS P.A.K.
The police reported that the recovery of the firearms led to the arrest of six suspects involved in the robberies, identified as Tapiwa Matope (23), Wonder Matope (42), Talkmore Masanga (45), Tafadzwa Kupeta (22), Steven Mahachi (51), and Rashid Adam Chipanga (30). These suspects have been linked to multiple armed robberies across Dzivarasekwa, Manyame Park in Chitungwiza, and Hopley Zone 6.
Robbery Timeline and Arrest Details
The spate of robberies included incidents where significant amounts of cash and valuables were stolen:
• Dzivarasekwa (9th October 2024): USD 250 and two cellphones stolen.
• Manyame Park, Chitungwiza (10th October 2024): USD 1,500 and a cellphone taken.
• Hopley Zone 6 (10th October 2024): USD 1,800 stolen in two separate incidents.
The firearms were found at a house in Damafalls Phase 2 on 22nd October 2024 after three suspects—Tafadzwa Kupeta, Steven Mahachi, and Rashid Adam Chipanga — were apprehended. Police later arrested the other three suspects—Tapiwa Matope, Wonder Matope, and Talkmore Masanga — on 11th and 21st October 2024.
During the arrests, police found one of the stolen cellphones from the Dzivarasekwa robbery in Tapiwa Matope’s possession.
