Quest Financial Services robbery suspect shot dead by police during indications

TAKUDZWA HILLARY CHIWANZA 

HARARE – Police confirmed on Sunday that Blessing Sumbani Sithole (49), a suspect linked to the February Quest Financial Services robbery in Belgravia, Harare, was shot dead during a "shooting incident" along Manyame River in Southlea Park, Harare.

"The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the death of one of the outstanding suspects in the robbery case, Blessing Sumbani Sithole (49), during a shooting incident which occurred on 04th April 2024 along Manyame River, Southlea Park, Harare," said Police national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.

Detectives from CID, Harare received information on April 4 that Sithole was hiding at a house in Makondo Extension, Chiredzi. The detectives tracked the suspect to Chiredzi where he was subsequently arrested. 

The arrest led to the recovery of a 0.38 Special Revolver with seven rounds and a Toyota Probox vehicle, registration number AGF 1832, which Sithole claimed to have bought for US$ 6 300 using his share from the loot.

Nyathi said that Sithole led detectives to Manyame River in Southlea Park, Harare for indications where he claimed to have hidden a 7.65mm CZ Vzor pistol which was stolen at Quest Financial Services in Belgravia during the heist. 

Upon arrival at the scene, Sithole picked the pistol from a shrub and cocked it before aiming at detectives who were escorting him, Nyathi said. 

Subsequently, Sithole was shot on the back and was rushed to Sally Mugabe Hospital where he died upon admission. The detectives recovered the pistol which was loaded with four live rounds.

The robbery for which Sithole was being pursued by law enforcement agents occurred on February 25, 2024 at Quest Financial Services in Belgravia, Harare where US$720 676.00, ZAR 10 500.00 and €120.00 cash; a 7.65 mm CZ Vzor pistol; and three laptops were stolen.

Two security guards, Cornelius Muchikange (35) and Nesbert Kachungwe (35) of J and P Security Company, who were part of the response team at Quest Financial Services in Belgravia during the robbery, pleaded guilty to the theft of US$53 000 in March. 

Muchikange bought a Nissan Sylphy sedan for US$3 700 and a residential stand for US$6 000 in Eastview, Harare. He also used US$2 500 to pay lobola to his in-laws. Kachungwe bought a Nissan AD van for US$6 100 using his share of the spoils as well as building materials valued US$1 000.

Amid rising concerns that the ZRP could be involved in the extra judicial killing of suspects, dispensing with the fundamental right to a fair trial, Nyathi in the statement skirted the issue saying that ZRP "reiterates that it fully subscribes to human rights tenets and will respond appropriately to robbery scenes as determined by the prevailing situation on the ground". 

He said suspects involved in criminal acts are "accordingly implored to duly comply with police orders and avoid clashes or confrontation with arresting details".