Marondera residents are now living in terror as heavily-armed robbers are on the loose in the Mashonaland East capital.
The gang of robbers, armed with AK-47 assault rifles, pistols and tear smoke canisters, is targeting residents, money changers and businesspeople.
A local businessperson who spoke to Newsday on condition of anonymity had this to say:
Almost every week, we are having these robberies and we are no longer safe at all. Marondera town is no longer habitable and we are living in fear as to what is going to happen next.
The businesses are no longer safe, as this gang is targeting businesspeople’s homes and moneychangers from who they demand cash. As it stands, it is high time the police do something about it and ensure that these criminals are dealt with.
Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed that there has been an upsurge in robbery cases this year compared to the previous year. He said:
Robbery cases increased to 77 January and February 2019 from 52 during the same period in 2018.