The Zimbabwe Republic Police has launched an intensified nationwide operation against armed robbery syndicates after a wanted suspect was shot during a confrontation with officers in Chitungwiza, but escaped despite suffering a gunshot wound.
Police are searching for William Shereni Manase in connection with a robbery at a company in Borders Estate, Ruwa, where US$108,000 in cash was stolen on 13 September. Three other men wanted over the same case have also been named as Obert Tinarwo, who uses the alias “Mambo Dhuterere”, James Dhlora, also known as “Kasongo” or “DB”, and David Majagada, known as “Kule Dhivha”.
The latest police operation followed a shoot-out in Unit N, Seke, Chitungwiza, on 15 September. Manase was wounded during the exchange of gunfire, but managed to flee before officers could arrest him. A Toyota Vitz, registration number AFF 7478, was recovered at the scene and is now part of the investigation.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the force was intensifying its pursuit of the group and other armed robbery networks operating around the country.
“The ZRP warns armed robbery syndicates that there is no going back in the fight against armed robbery cases throughout the country,” the police statement read.
Nyathi added: “Criminals who choose to confront or engage in a shoot-out with police officers will have themselves to blame and will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”
The police statement linked the Chitungwiza confrontation directly to the Ruwa robbery. It said: “This follows a shoot-out incident in Unit N, Seke, Chitungwiza, on September 15, 2026, involving an armed robbery suspect, William Shereni Manase.”
“The suspect sustained a gunshot wound and escaped from the scene, leading to the recovery of a Toyota Vitz vehicle, registration number AFF 7478. The suspect is being sought in connection with an armed robbery incident which occurred at a company at Borders Estate, Ruwa on September 13, 2026, where US$108 000 cash was stolen.”
Detectives are also pursuing the three other suspects identified by police. The statement said: “Police are pursuing other suspects linked to the robbery incident, who have been using pseudonyms, namely Obert Tinarwo, alias Mambo Dhuterere, James Dhlora, alias Kasongo and David Majagada alias Kule Dhivha. Anyone with information is asked to report to the nearest police station.”
The manhunt comes as businesses and families in several parts of Zimbabwe deal with a series of violent cash robberies. In Bulawayo, businessman Tadius Rutanhira was shot dead outside his shop on Monday night after three armed suspects confronted him as he walked towards his son’s car.
Nyathi said: “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 Nyathi.
Taxi drivers near the scene attempted to stop the attackers as they ran away, but the robbers fired in their direction. Detectives from the Homicide Division later examined the area, while the shop remained closed and taxi operators were ordered away from the nearby illegal rank during the investigation.
Rutanhira’s brother, Austin, said the family was struggling to come to terms with the killing. He said the businessman was married, had four children and was regarded as a dependable figure who helped relatives and friends.
“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.
“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.
Austin added: “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.”
A vegetable vendor who worked near the shop, Buhle Sithole, said Rutanhira was known for greeting people in the area.
“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,” she said.
The Bulawayo attack followed another reported cash robbery in Beitbridge in which customs clearing agent and football club sponsor Sebastian Mhondiwa was shot at his home in Dulivhadzimu. Eight armed men wearing balaclavas reportedly attacked him at about 1am after robbing another man. The gang took US$10,000, mobile phones and other valuables. Mhondiwa was shot in both legs and was taken to hospital by a neighbour for surgery.
Police have also carried out major operations against armed robbery gangs in Harare this year. In a March operation in Warren Park, four suspected robbers were killed in a shoot-out with detectives after a gang linked to a series of robberies in the capital was tracked to a shopping centre. Two other suspects were arrested.
The Warren Park operation led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition, vehicles, mobile phones, balaclavas and other items. Police linked the gang to a break-in at Kuwadzana 2 Shopping Centre, an attack on security guards in Aspindale and a raid on a Glen Norah liquor store. The cases involved stolen goods, a firearm taken from security guards and alcohol valued at US$1,989.
The current operation has placed the Ruwa suspects at the centre of the police hunt. Investigators are asking residents, motorists, business owners and anyone familiar with the named men or the Toyota Vitz to provide information at the nearest police station.
Manase remains missing after the Chitungwiza shoot-out, while police continue to search for Tinarwo, Dhlora and Majagada. The force has urged members of the public to report any information that could lead to their arrest or help detectives recover the stolen US$108,000.
For the ZRP, the pursuit is part of a broader push to dismantle armed robbery syndicates that have targeted businesses, cash carriers and individuals leaving work or travelling with large sums of money. The warning issued after the Unit N confrontation makes clear that police intend to respond forcefully to armed groups who engage officers in gun battles.
Anyone with information about William Shereni Manase, Obert Tinarwo, James Dhlora, David Majagada or the Ruwa robbery is being urged to contact the nearest police station immediately.