The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has urged members of the public to desist from boarding pirate taxis (mushikashika) or using their vehicles as pirate taxis as they risk being robbed.
This comes after three men were robbed in separate incidents within Harare Metropolitan Province on 21 and 22 April where pirate taxis were involved. In a statement, ZRP said:
The ZRP reiterates that members of the public must avoid boarding mushikashika vehicles or using their private vehicles as pirate taxis as they risk falling prey to robbers.
On 22/04/22, a Harare man (25) lost property valued at US$750 after boarding a grey Toyota Wish vehicle with two occupants at the Mbudzi roundabout destined for the CBD.
Along the way, the suspects produced an unidentified pistol and a knife before they stole his property.
On 22/04/22, a complainant (37) lost property valued at US$893 to four unknown suspects after boarding a black Toyota Wish at Puma Service Station, Zengeza going to the city centre.
The suspects later parked the vehicle at Hunyani Bridge and threatened the victim with knives.
On 21/04/22, a motorist driving a Honda Fit vehicle along Liberation Legacy Way lost property valued at US$300 after picking up four passengers along the way.
The suspects grabbed the victim from behind and threatened him with a knife.
In an unrelated incident, ZRP Avondale recorded a murder case where Wayne Darimani (41) fatally assaulted his brother Leonard Karombo (46) after a misunderstanding at a beer binge at Lagoon Shops, Avondale.
Police said the suspect pushed the victim and he fell headlong and lost consciousness on 27 April this year.
The victim was sent to the hospital but his condition continued to deteriorate until he passed away.