BULAWAYO — Two suspected armed robbers linked to the killing of Bulawayo businessman Tadius Rutanhira have been shot dead in a confrontation with police, while four others have been arrested as the Zimbabwe Republic Police widens its operation against violent robbery gangs.
The six men are connected to 10 armed robbery cases in Bulawayo and surrounding areas, according to police. The development came four days after Rutanhira, 52, was shot dead outside his business in central Bulawayo during a late-night cash robbery.
Police identified the two men killed in the shoot-out as Mehluli Ncube, 45, also known as Mamba, and Muzi Richard Fambirai Moyo, 45. The four arrested suspects are Shelton Jubane, 37, Charles Ndlovu, 52, Prince Chisale and Clive Ncube, 27.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “The suspects are linked to 10 cases of armed robbery in Bulawayo and surrounding areas.” He said a detailed statement would be released as the investigation continued.
Rutanhira was killed at about 11pm on 14 September after closing his shop and walking towards a vehicle in which his son had arrived to collect him. The attack happened near a service station along Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street, between Third and Fourth Avenue.
Police said three suspects confronted the businessman and shot him with a pistol before escaping with his bag, which contained US$10,000. He was shot twice in the chest and died at the scene.
In a statement issued after the murder, Commissioner 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 Commissioner Nyathi.
A source familiar with the attack said Rutanhira was holding the bag as he made his way to the vehicle. The source said two armed men emerged and tried to seize it. When he resisted, 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.
People near the scene tried to stop the attackers as they ran away. Taxi drivers in the area attempted to make a citizen’s arrest, but the robbers fired shots in their direction and escaped.
The shooting took place in one of the busiest parts of the city, close to shoppers, commuters, motorists and a taxi rank. On the morning after the killing, the rank at the corner of Third Avenue and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street was unusually quiet while detectives from the Homicide Division examined the scene. Taxi operators were ordered to leave the area during the investigation, and Rutanhira’s shop remained closed.
The interruption affected traders, drivers and touts who depend on the area for their income. One tout, who identified himself as Tari, said violence was rarely tolerated because it damaged business and brought police activity to the rank.
“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 shop, Buhle Sithole, said Rutanhira was a quiet and respectful man who greeted people working 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 businessman’s death brought mourners to the family home at Woodville Plots. His brother, Austin Rutanhira, said he was a married father of four who had spent years building his business and supporting 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 said the family was relying on the police investigation after the killing.
“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 arrests came as police intensified a wider manhunt for armed robbery networks operating in several parts of Zimbabwe. In Chitungwiza, officers exchanged gunfire with William Shereni Manase in Unit N, Seke, on 15 September. Manase was wounded but escaped before he could be arrested.
Police said Manase is wanted in connection with a robbery at a company in Borders Estate, Ruwa, where US$108,000 was stolen on 13 September. A Toyota Vitz, registration number AFF 7478, was recovered after the Chitungwiza shoot-out and is being used in the investigation.
Three other men wanted in connection with the Ruwa robbery were 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 police statement said: “The ZRP warns armed robbery syndicates that there is no going back in the fight against armed robbery cases throughout the country.”
Commissioner 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 statement said: “This follows a shoot-out incident in Unit N, Seke, Chitungwiza, on September 15, 2026, involving an armed robbery suspect, William Shereni Manase.”
It added: “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.”
Police have also carried out armed robbery operations in Harare. In a March operation in Warren Park, four suspected robbers were killed in a shoot-out with detectives and two others were arrested. Firearms, ammunition, vehicles, mobile phones and balaclavas were recovered. The group was linked to robberies at Kuwadzana 2 Shopping Centre, an attack on security guards in Aspindale and a raid on a Glen Norah liquor store.
With two suspects dead, four arrested and more wanted across the country, police have put armed robbery syndicates on notice while detectives continue tracing the 10 cases connected to the Bulawayo group and pursuing the suspects linked to the Ruwa cash heist.