The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has reported that there are armed robbers who are now targeting tobacco farmers. In a statement this Friday, ZRP said some tobacco farmers were robbed of their bales and vehicle. Reads the statement:
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has noted with concern cases of armed robbery involving tobacco bales on transit to Auction Floors throughout the country.
The cases are taking place at night as transporters and farmers travel. The suspects are mostly a syndicate with some wearing security services uniforms from Police, Army while others will be in civilian attire. The group is using Honda Fit and Toyota Wish vehicles without registration numbers to waylay farmers and rob them.
On 26th April 2021 at around 2230 hours, five farmers travelling in a Nissan Atlas truck laden with 25 bales of tobacco were intercepted by an unregistered Honda fit vehicle with four occupants as the suspects brandished two unidentified pistols and attacked them at a railway line along Gleneagles Road, Harare.
The robbed Nissan Atlas truck was later recovered in Norton after being used to commit another robbery case by the unknown suspects.
Police strongly discourages farmers from moving at night. Transporters should have vehicles which are roadworthy to carry tobacco bales during the day and avoid night travel at all costs. The Police is engaging Auction Floors to buttress the issue of security and implore farmers to deliver tobacco during day time and not at night.
