Ten (10) men who were armed with machetes allegedly forcibly gained access to the Gokwe Town Council warehouse around 11 PM on Tuesday and looted property worth around $500 000.
According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the suspects threatened the security guard, took away the keys to the warehouse and tied him with ropes.
They then drove into the warehouse and loaded property that included new water pumps, stoves, solar panels and vehicle tyres.
ZRP spokesperson in Midlands Province Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the robbery incident. He said:
The guard, Mr John Takaendesa, was then ordered to surrender the gate keys or risk death. They then went on to tie his hands and legs using a rope.
The gang stole 18 solar panels, five water pumps, two four-plate stoves and 10 vehicle tires before they drove away.
An official with the town council who wanted to remain anonymous said the property was valued at around $500 000.
He said the local authority had ordered some solar panels worth over $150 000 which were part of the stolen loot.
The solar panels were meant for the council’s street solar lighting rollout. Said the official:
The robbers must have had some inside information because some of the property which was stolen was new and had just been delivered. The total amount of stolen property is around $500 000.