Bulawayo businessman shot dead in brazen midnight cash heist
A prominent Bulawayo businessman was shot dead outside his shop on Monday night after three armed robbers confronted him as he walked towards his son’s car with a bag containing US$10,000.
52-year-old Tadius Rutanhira had just closed his business when he was attacked at about 11pm near a service station along Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street, between Third and Fourth Avenue. He was shot twice in the chest and died at the scene, while the robbers escaped with the cash.
The incident has left residents and traders in the area shaken, while detectives from the Homicide Division continued investigations at the scene on Tuesday morning. Police have appealed to members of the public who may have information that could help identify and arrest the three suspects.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the suspects used a pistol during the attack.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing for information, which may assist in the investigation of a murder and armed robbery case, which occurred near a service station along JMN Nkomo Street, between Fourth and Third Avenue in Bulawayo.
“Three unidentified suspects shot dead the victim, Tadius Rutanhira (52) with a pistol before fleeing with his bag containing US$10 000. The victim, who was a businessperson, had just closed his shop and was walking towards his son’s vehicle who had come to pick him up,” said Commissioner Nyathi.
A source familiar with the incident said Rutanhira was clutching the bag while making his way to the vehicle when the attackers emerged. The source said he resisted when the robbers tried to take it from him before they opened fire.
“While he was walking towards his car, two armed men emerged and tried to forcibly take the bag he was clutching but he resisted. They then fired shots at him, killing him on the spot.
“They took the bag, which contained cash amounting to US$10 000 and fled,” said the source.
Although police said three suspects were involved, witnesses said the gang quickly ran from the scene after the shooting. Taxi drivers who were nearby tried to stop them and effect a citizen’s arrest, but the robbers fired shots in their direction as they fled.
The shooting took place near a busy area used by shoppers, commuters, motorists and drivers refuelling their vehicles. On Tuesday morning, the normally crowded taxi rank at the corner of Third Avenue and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street was unusually quiet as police conducted their investigations.
Tens of pirate taxis operating from the illegal rank had been ordered to leave the area. Touts, rank marshals and drivers remained nearby, waiting for detectives to finish their work, while Rutanhira’s shop remained closed.
One tout, who identified himself as Tari, said violence was uncommon at the rank because it affected the livelihoods of people working there.
“Violence attracts the police and is frowned upon by our clients, the passengers that we ferry home and back into town everyday, so it’s bad for business. We have not worked for a couple of hours while CID detectives are doing their investigations and we are losing money so such incidents are not good for business,” said Tari.
A vegetable vendor who worked close to the scene, Mrs Buhle Sithole, said she knew Rutanhira as a quiet and respectful businessman who acknowledged people working around his shop.
“No one deserves to die in such a violent manner. He was a good man who greeted vendors and everyone who operated in the area near his shop,” said Mrs Sithole.
Rutanhira’s death has devastated his family at a time when relatives were preparing to gather at the family home in Woodville Plots. His brother, Austin Rutanhira, said the businessman had spent years building his business and was a married father of four.
“He was shot dead last night around 11PM. He was 52-years-old and had been a businessman for years. He was married and is survived by four children. They lived at Woodville Plots, and that is where mourners are gathered,” said Austin.
Austin described his brother as a pillar of the family and a unifier who was always willing to help relatives and friends.
“We have lost a solid man who was a go-to for the family. Everyone who faced a problem or wanted advice would approach him as he had an open-door policy,” he said.
He said the family was struggling to come to terms with the manner of Rutanhira’s death and was relying on the police to bring those responsible to justice.
“We are devastated and heartbroken. The manner in which he was killed is heart-breaking. We are pinning our hopes on the police to do their investigations and arrest them. Relatives and elders are gathering, and some are on the way to the late’s home. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course,” he said.
The Bulawayo killing comes days after another armed cash robbery in Beitbridge in which a customs clearing agent and football club sponsor was shot four times after robbers broke into his home and demanded money belonging to his clients.
Mhondiwa was shot twice in the left leg and once in the right leg, while another bullet grazed his left thigh. He was taken to hospital by a neighbour and underwent surgery on both legs. Police said the robbers also used bolt cutters and a crowbar during the attack, and no arrests had been announced as investigations continued.
The Beitbridge attack and the Bulawayo killing have both involved robbers targeting cash held by businesspeople, but Rutanhira’s death has drawn particular concern because it happened in a busy central area as he was leaving work. His son had arrived to collect him, but the attack happened before he could reach the vehicle.
Police are continuing to investigate the Bulawayo murder and armed robbery. Anyone with information that may assist detectives in tracing the suspects is being urged to contact the nearest police station.
As mourners gathered at the Rutanhira family home, traders and transport workers returned to the area where the businessman spent his final moments. His shop remained shut, and the people who knew him remembered a man whose daily greetings and willingness to help had made him familiar to many in the neighbourhood.