By Crime and Courts Reporter- Police have gunned down Six armed robbers in a shoot-out  near the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls toll gate.

According to the police, the suspects opened fire when detectives attempted to apprehend them, prompting officers to respond with force.

In a statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi reiterated the police’s commitment to combating armed robbery syndicates, warning that any confrontation by criminals would be met with appropriate force.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms a shootout with six armed robbery suspects along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls toll gate between 2 AM and 4 AM,” said Comm Nyathi.

He revealed that the suspects had spent the previous day monitoring and drinking at Young Money General Dealer Shopin Insiza before launching their attack.

“The gang later pounced on two complainants, armed with pistols, knives, and axes. They tied their victims’ hands with electric cables, covered their faces with blankets, and demanded gold and cash,” he said.

The robbers ransacked the shop, making off with an undisclosed amount of money, groceries, a 48-volt lithium battery, an inverter, an amplifier, a nine-kilogram gas tank, and cell phones. 

They loaded the stolen goods into a silver Honda Fit (registration AEY 4843) and fled.

One of the victims managed to alert their employer, who quickly reported the incident to the police.

“Detectives spotted the suspects’ vehicle along the Victoria Falls Road and ordered them to stop. The robbers defied the order, ramming through the toll gate’s boom barrier in an attempt to escape,” Comm Nyathi said.

A fierce shootout ensued, and the suspects were subdued.

They were taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals, where they were pronounced dead.

Police recovered two pistols with four live rounds, two gas-operated pistols, two knives, and an axe. 

Some of the stolen property, including groceries, a lithium battery, an inverter, a gas tank, and an amplifier, was recovered from the vehicle.

The police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities as they continue their crackdown on armed robbery syndicates.