The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has dismissed a report claiming “anti-terror” detectives raided a Crisis Coalition of Zimbabwe shelter in Norton and recovered weapons and other items.
A report by Zim Raider claimed that national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi had confirmed the arrest of 11 suspects while four others still remain at large after escaping from the scene. The raid allegedly occurred yesterday.
In a post on its Twitter channel this Saturday, ZRP refuted the claims, saying it was now looking into the motive behind the false statement. The post read:
The ZRP dismisses a social media story by Zimraider.co.zw and attributed to Amanda Khumalo on the alleged raid at Crisis Coalition of Zimbabwe’s shelter house in Norton, purported arrest of 11 suspects, recovery of weapons and other items.
The ZRP Spokesperson A/C Paul Nyathi has not issued such a statement which is obviously dismissed with the contempt it deserves. The Police is now looking into the motive behind this false and fake statement.
According to Zim Raider, the terror suspects who have been carrying out undercover operations at 2345 Nharira, Norton, were yesterday arrested by the CID anti-terror unit following a tip-off from members of the public.
The report further claimed the 11 suspects were being detained at Harare central police station and a case has been opened with RRB NO 4084566.
Police detectives reportedly recovered 15 CZ pistols, ammunition, 100 South African registered sim cards, 100 A50 Samsung mobile phones, 20 boxes of syringes, drugs, 4 South African Registered white Toyota Quantums, dozens of fake police, CIO, army and ZPCS IDs, projectors, costumes, cameras, written scripts, diagrams and maps during the raid.
The report identified the “terror suspects” as Thembani Ndlovu (33), Philani Mkwananzi (29), Mtholisi Ncube (26), Phumulani Sibanda (26), Melissa Gamano (23), Tanya Mauto (27), Christine Juta (31), Simon Makonese (24), Reason Jera (40), Clemence Kasanga (39) and Tendai Mafunga (22). Asst Comm Nyathi was quoted as saying:
The four suspects still at large are armed and dangerous therefore should members of the public have further information that may lead to their arrest, kindly contact the police through this number +263712800197.