BULAWAYO – Richmond Thomas Ndlovu died on 6 October after police shot him during a confrontation near Kenilworth Turn-Off along the Bulawayo–Nkayi Road. The operation followed a domestic dispute at his home in Exchange Village, in Inyathi near Bulawayi, where officers recovered three pistols the previous day.
Police said Ndlovu was linked to four murder and armed robbery cases in and around Inyathi, Matabeleland North. He died while officers were taking him to hospital after he was shot in the leg and stomach.
The encounter began after police took Ndlovu to a secluded spot along the highway. According to Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the national police spokesperson, Ndlovu tried to disarm officers. A struggle followed and police opened fire.
“He was shot in the leg and stomach,” Nyathi said.
After the shooting, officers recovered a Star pistol loaded with seven rounds and a Colombian knife. Ndlovu’s injuries proved fatal on the way to hospital.
Police linked Ndlovu to four cases
The investigation had started on 5 October, when police responded to a domestic dispute at Ndlovu’s home in Exchange Village. His wife, 29-year-old Tryphine Phuti, had left the property after he threatened to kill her, according to the account given by police.
Officers searched the residence and found three pistols hidden there. The discovery led investigators to examine Ndlovu’s possible links to other violent crimes in the area. Police later said they connected him to four cases of murder and robbery committed between 5 June and 27 September.
The cases included a 5 June attack at a service station in Mahamba Business Centre, where a security guard was killed. Police also linked Ndlovu to a robbery at a supermarket in Badala Business Centre, where US$18,000 was stolen. The police statement did not provide further details about the remaining two cases.
The firearm recovered after the highway confrontation was separate from the three pistols found at the Exchange Village property. Police said the Star pistol carried seven rounds. The Colombian knife was also recovered at the scene.
A second fatal shooting in Harare
Ndlovu’s death was one of two separate fatal police shootings involving suspected armed robbers reported on 6 October. In Harare, detectives shot and killed 30-year-old Cosmas Mashavira after an exchange of fire at the corner of Rosemary Drive and Beatrice Road.
Mashavira died on arrival at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital. Detectives recovered a 9mm Retay pistol with one round in its magazine.
The Harare operation followed the arrest of three men whom police identified as Mashavira’s alleged accomplices: 44-year-old Shame Mwedzi, 45-year-old Leonard Chamboko and 50-year-old Vincent Magadhi. Police linked the group to a series of robberies in Harare and Chitungwiza, in which cash and valuables worth about US$1,900 were taken.
Nyathi said the police response followed the arrests and the investigation into those robberies. He issued a warning to people who might try to attack or disarm officers.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police warns criminals against attacking or attempting to disarm police officers on duty,” Nyathi said.
The two shootings on 6 October took place in different parts of the country and had separate investigations behind them. In Inyathi, police said their inquiry widened after firearms were discovered at a home during a response to a domestic dispute. In Harare, detectives acted after arrests connected to robberies in the capital and Chitungwiza.
Suspect wounded in September exchange of fire
Another armed robbery suspect was shot by police within the past six months, but survived the encounter and escaped. On 15 September, officers exchanged fire with William Shereni Manase in Unit N, Seke, in Chitungwiza. Police said he suffered a gunshot wound and fled from the scene.
Officers recovered a Toyota Vitz at the location. Police linked Manase to a robbery at a company in Borders Estate, Ruwa, on 13 September. The robbery took place at about 12.30pm, when workers were attacked and restrained and US$108,000 was stolen.
Police also named three other men they were seeking in connection with the Ruwa case: Obert Tinarwo, known as Mambo Dhuterere; James Dhlora, also known as Kasongo; and David Majagada, also known as Kule Dhivha. The police statement said Manase had escaped after being wounded in the Seke shoot-out.
In the days after the Ruwa robbery, police arrested Tinei Makaripe, Pungurayi Mukumbachaza and Gabriel Mukambachaza. Officers reported recovering cash and firearms, as well as explosives, handcuffs and balaclavas during the arrests. One recovered Tokarev pistol had been stolen during a separate Southerton robbery in March 2026. Police also linked the arrested men to other robberies in Rusape and Harare.
The September incident differed from the two fatal shootings in October: officers said the suspect was injured but got away, and a vehicle was recovered. In the Inyathi and Harare cases, the suspects died after being shot during police operations.
Across the three incidents, police reported recovering firearms or other evidence and connected the suspects to investigations involving armed robbery. In Ndlovu’s case, the inquiry also began with a household dispute and the discovery of weapons at his residence. The police urged members of the public to share information about suspected criminals and illegal firearms through the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631, by WhatsApp on 0712 800107, or at their nearest police station.