Police have confirmed the arrest of two foreign nationals, Aruna Saidu and Foday Kamry, in connection with a series of robbery incidents in Harare and surrounding areas.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, 11 March, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the suspects were intercepted in Karoi, where they were apprehended following a high-speed chase and a shootout with the police. The statement reads:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of two foreign nationals, Aruna Saidu and Foday Kamry in connection with a string of robbery cases in Harare and surrounding areas.
On 9th March 2025, CID Homicide, Harare, and Police Special Tactics Troop, Chikurubi acted on a tip and tracked down the suspects who were reported to be in Karoi.
The officers intercepted the suspects near Spar Karoi leading to a high-speed chase and a shootout with the police.
The police disarmed the victims and recovered a white Mercedes Benz, an FN Browning Pistol, a Canik 55 pistol, two spent cartridges, and two magazines charged with 25 rounds, as well as other items including pepper spray, a screwdriver and a hammer.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police commends the public for providing valuable information that led to the suspects’ arrest.
Members of the public should feel free to report criminal activities to the Police on National Complaints Desk number (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp on 0712 800 197 or report at any nearest Police Station.
</blockquote>

Pindula News

Police caught two foreign nationals, Aruna Saidu and Foday Kamry, for doing robberies in Harare and nearby areas. The police found them in Karoi after a fast chase and a fight. The police took away their guns and other items. The police appreciate the people for helping catch the suspects. People should tell the police if they see any crimes happening. They can call the police or send a message on WhatsApp.

Two Foreign Nationals Linked To Multiple Robberies Captured After High-Speed Chase And Shootout In Karoi

Ndabaningi “Nick” Mangwana, permanent secretary for the Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Ministry, has questioned why foreign nationals are granted gun licenses in Zimbabwe, calling for a policy review.
His comments followed a January 21 altercation in Lower Gweru, where a Chinese national was filmed brandishing a pistol at a local over unpaid wages.
The ZRP also confirmed that a 20-year-old man was shot and injured by another Chinese national in Filabusi.
In Gweru, Liu Haifeng of Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments claimed he felt threatened by local Kholwani Dube, whom he pointed a gun at.
In a post on X, marked as his personal view, Mangwana questioned whether Zimbabweans residing in other countries are granted the same privilege of obtaining licensed firearms as foreign nationals living in Zimbabwe. He said:
<blockquote>
In Zimbabwe, we don’t have a culture of brandishing guns like some wannabe gangsters. We have a culture of responsible gun ownership.
Let’s revisit the idea of foreigners owning firearms. I don’t believe Zimbabweans living in foreign countries can easily get firearms licenses there.
</blockquote>
Commenting on the Lower Gweru incident, the Centre for Natural Resources Governance (CNRG) expressed concern over the escalating use of firearms by Chinese nationals in Zimbabwe. It said:
<blockquote>
The CNRG is deeply disturbed by the escalating use of firearms by Chinese nationals in Zimbabwe to settle labour disputes.
Similar incidents have been reported in the past, including a case where two Chinese nationals were deported for abusing a mineworker at Makanga Mine in Bindura.
</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2024/09/19/chinese-miner-sentenced-to-30-years-in-jail-for-killing-gokwe-man/">In September 2024, Cai Yulong, a Chinese national operating Stone Steel Blue Mine in Zhombe, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder of a miner, injuring another, and assaulting a third person.</a>
Cai appeared before the High Court in Gokwe, facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and assault.
He was convicted and sentenced to 30 years for murder and an additional 5 years for attempted murder. Both sentences will run concurrently.
For the assault charge, he was fined US$100 or, in default, 1 month imprisonment.

Nick Mangwana, a government official in Zimbabwe, thinks foreigners should not be allowed to have gun licenses in the country. He is concerned about Chinese nationals using guns in disputes. In one case, a Chinese man threatened a local with a gun over wages. Another Chinese man shot and injured a person in a different incident. Mangwana wants to review the policy on foreigners owning guns. A group called CNRG is worried about Chinese people using guns in Zimbabwe to solve problems. In the past, a Chinese man was jailed for killing a miner and hurting others.

Nick Mangwana: Foreigners Should Be Barred From Owning Guns In Zimbabwe

Foreign nationals from China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, and other countries are reportedly dominating Zimbabwe’s retail sector, pushing local, bona fide retail outlets out of business.
These foreign nationals are also accused of selling counterfeit products and operating without proper licenses.
Major retail chains such as OK Zimbabwe, Spar, and TM Pick n Pay are struggling, allegedly due to the growing presence of makeshift shops primarily run by foreign nationals in Harare’s downtown and various suburbs.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 20 of 2013 prohibits foreign nationals from owning or operating retail shops, reserving these rights exclusively for Zimbabwean citizens.
Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Raji Modi told <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/foreign-nationals-hijack-retail-sector/">Business Times</a> that some retail outlets operated by foreign nationals in Zimbabwe violate the law. Said Modi:
<blockquote>
We have a problem with foreign nationals from the region operating our local retail shops and it is not only them, there are the Chinese also who are in the retail sector because they are not supposed to be doing so, the retail sector is only reserved for Zimbabwean citizens.
Unfortunately, they are using our local Zimbabwean names or workers’ names to obtain licenses and they are doing it illegally.
</blockquote>
Modi said the Ministry has engaged relevant authorities, including ZIMRA, to develop a strategy for addressing the illegal operations in the retail sector, which are having a significant negative impact on the country’s economy.
Former ZANU PF Harare provincial political commissar who once served as Harare South MP Shadreck Mashayamombe said:
<blockquote>
At least 90% of these tuckshops are owned by foreign nationals. They have destroyed all the big supermarkets in our country. OK Zimbabwe is seriously struggling as the biggest employer in the grocery retail business.
In these tuck-shops, our local brothers and sisters are used as loaders and other menial work. These people don’t pay tax and the question is who is protecting these people?
I am not xenophobic and I will never be one but we cannot destroy what we have, our brothers must follow our laws.
</blockquote>
Foreign-owned tuckshops are reportedly conducting transactions primarily in United States dollars, deliberately avoiding the use of the local currency, the ZiG.
Meanwhile, a senior government official, speaking to Business Times, claimed that many refugees, reportedly fleeing Tongogara Camp in Manicaland Province, have flooded the streets of Harare, where they are allegedly engaged in money laundering activities.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Foreign nationals from countries like China, Congo, Rwanda, and Tanzania are taking over retail shops in Zimbabwe. They are selling fake products and not following the law. This is causing big stores like OK Zimbabwe and Spar to struggle. Zimbabwean citizens are supposed to own and operate retail shops, not foreigners. The government is trying to stop this illegal activity. Many small shops controlled by foreign nationals are not paying taxes and are avoiding using the local currency. Refugees are also said to be involved in illegal activities in Harare.

Retail Sector In Zimbabwe Overrun By Foreign Nationals

The Zimbabwe High Court has declared that section 8(1) of the Immigration Act, which allowed immigration officers to detain foreigners suspected of committing crimes for up to 14 days without judicial oversight, is unconstitutional and invalid.
On November 12, 2024, Justice Christopher Dube-Banda ruled that section 8(1) violated section 50(2)(b) of the Constitution, which ensures the right to be brought before a court within 48 hours of detention. The ruling emphasized that this provision infringed upon human rights, including liberty, dignity, and freedom.
This case was brought to the court by Tatenda Chakabva, a resident of Harare, with the support of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).
Chakabva argued that the provision allowed for arbitrary detention, which undermined constitutional rights and international treaties ratified by Zimbabwe, such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
He was represented by lawyers Brighton Sadowero, Tinashe Chinopfukutwa, and Kelvin Kabaya.
Chakabva filed the application on May 28, 2024, seeking to have section 8(1) declared inconsistent with the Constitution.
He contended that it authorised immigration officers to detain suspects for up to 14 days without judicial oversight, violating the mandatory requirement that any arrested or detained person be brought to court within 48 hours.
The Chief Immigration Officer opposed the application, arguing that the provision was necessary to combat transnational crimes such as terrorism and human trafficking, justifying extended detention without judicial review.
Justice Dube-Banda disagreed, stating that judicial oversight is essential to protect the rights of detainees and ensure that continued detention is lawful. He emphasized that arbitrary detention without court oversight is unlawful and undermines the rule of law.
This ruling aligns with international and regional conventions, which require prompt judicial review of detention, and affirms that Zimbabwe’s immigration authorities cannot authorize prolonged detention without judicial review.
The High Court’s ruling is subject to confirmation by Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Court.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The Zimbabwe High Court said a law allowing immigration officers to hold suspects without court oversight for 14 days is wrong. The Court agreed with a man named Tatenda Chakabva that the law violates people's rights. Chakabva went to court with help from lawyers because he thinks the law allowed unfair detention. The Court said it's important for a judge to check if someone should stay in custody. They said this is also important in international rules. The ruling is not final and needs another court to confirm it. The ruling aims to protect people's rights and make sure they are treated fairly.

High Court Strikes Down Unconstitutional Provision Of Immigration Act

The Botswana Police Service has launched a manhunt for five armed men believed to be foreign nationals.
In a statement issued by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Dipheko Motube, this Monday, the manhunt follows a shootout in Gaborone on Sunday night.
Motube said one of the suspects was later arrested adding investigations are in progress. Said Motube:
<blockquote>
Law enforcement officers in Gaborone have embarked on a manhunt of five (5) armed suspicious characters believed to be foreign nationals.
This follows a shoot-out between six (6) armed men and law enforcement officers at Block 8 location in Gaborone last night, which subsequently led to the arrest of one of the suspects.
Members of the public are therefore informed to be on the lookout and report any suspicious characters to the nearest Police Station or call emergency number 999.
They are also warned not to approach the suspected men who are armed and dangerous.
Investigations are continuing.
</blockquote>

Botswana Police Launch Manhunt For Five Armed Foreign Nationals

Operation Dudula, an anti-immigrant group in South Africa, claims that country’s government prioritises jobs and placements for foreign illegal nationals over South Africans.
On Wednesday, 12 October 2022, scores of Operation Dudula members marched to the Gauteng Department of Education in the Johannesburg CBD.
They were demanding employment opportunities for locally qualified unemployed educators.
Addressing the protesters, Operation Dudula’s National Coordinator Thabo Ngayo, said:
<blockquote>
We are unapologetic about that comrades, they can call us names or xenophobic. The law of this country is the law of the country.
We cannot allow lawlessness while we are watching. There are those coming from other countries turning ours into a banana country.
We can’t allow foreign nationals to do as they wish without even proper documents to come and work in our country.
</blockquote>
Operation Dudula gave Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane three weeks to adhere to their demands.
Chiloane told <a href="https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/operation-dudula-march-against-the-hiring-of-foreign-teachers/">SABC News</a> that they will engage with Operation Dudula leadership to find common ground on issues that they raised. Said Chiloane:
<blockquote>
I think it is crucial to have a meeting with them. Firstly they said they’ve never met the department, so we will have a meeting with them.
And by the time we meet, we would have been able to prepare a response to their memorandum. So we would be able to give them a listen.
</blockquote>
In Limpopo Province, Operation Dudula marched to the offices of the Limpopo Department of Education in Polokwane and submitted a memorandum of demands.
Dudula demanded that children of undocumented nationals should not be admitted to public schools.
It also demanded that the Department should not provide financial assistance for learners whose parents are undocumented foreign nationals.
Dudula further demanded that Department should not employ teachers of foreign origin in public schools. Operation Dudula Limpopo Secretary Grace Mamonyamane, said:
<blockquote>
We have about 10 000 foreigners that are employed by the department of education nationally, so we know that our own are not getting jobs because the posts have been occupied by those foreigners.
</blockquote>
Limpopo Education Department’s Naphtali Molope promised to respond to the demands in due course. Said Molope:
<blockquote>
Because the intention was to deliver the memorandum to the MEC as it is addressed to her, we will take the memorandum to her as collective leadership, and we will respond to the issues they are raising.
</blockquote>

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