Two brothers appeared in court in Bulawayo after a police shoot-out in Norwood left their uncle dead. In a separate early-morning robbery, five men allegedly stripped a school security guard naked and escaped with US$17 from a primary school in Entumbane.
Norwood Shoot-Out and Court Appearance
Austin Nkomazana, 23, and Nkosikhona Ndlovu, 23, appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Patience Madondo on Wednesday, facing five counts of armed robbery. The brothers, who share a mother but have different fathers, were remanded in custody until 6 November. They were advised of their right to apply for bail at the Bulawayo High Court and to engage a lawyer at their own expense.
Their uncle, Average Ndlovu, 23, known as SaAaron, was killed during a confrontation with police in the early hours of Tuesday. Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the police spokesperson, said the three men had been under close surveillance as officers tracked them in connection with five robbery cases in Umguza on 18 and 19 October 2026.
In an official statement, Commissioner Nyathi confirmed:
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of two robbery suspects, Austin Nkomazana (23) and Nkosikhona Ndlovu (23) and the death of their accomplice, Average Ndlovu (23), alias SaAaron (BaAraron), following a shootout with police officers in Norwood, Bulawayo. The suspects were being tracked by the police in connection with five robbery cases which occurred in Umguza on 18 and 19 October 2026.”
Details of the Alleged Robbery Spree
The court heard that the alleged robbery spree involved attacks on homes and the theft of cash, valuables, and a vehicle. Prosecutor Arnold Mudekunye stated that the trio allegedly carried machetes, axes, and knives.
One of the incidents under investigation involved a woman and her three children. Police reported that the group entered their home and took US$2,000 in cash along with other belongings valued at US$2,460.
“Armed with machetes, axes and knives, they attacked a woman and her three children at their home in Umguza and allegedly stole US$2 000 as well as other valuables valued at US$2 460,” Commissioner Nyathi said.
Another alleged robbery occurred on 18 October, where the men are accused of breaking into a house, taking US$300, and escaping in the complainant’s Honda Fit. The vehicle was later abandoned after it was involved in a road accident. While police have linked the suspects to five cases across the two days, further details of the remaining reported robberies were not disclosed.
Fatal Confrontation and Police Warning
The pursuit culminated in Norwood, on the outskirts of Bulawayo. Commissioner Nyathi explained that officers initially fired warning shots, but the suspects continued advancing towards them, forcing police to return fire. Average Ndlovu was hit in the chest and taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His two alleged accomplices were taken into custody.
Describing the escalation, Commissioner Nyathi stated:
“Police officers fired warning shots, but the suspects continued advancing towards them, prompting the police to open fire. Average Mdlovu was shot and sustained a gunshot wound on the chest and was rushed to United Bulawayo Hospitals, where he was pronounced dead upon admission.”
The police spokesperson also issued a stern warning to violent crime syndicates:
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police warns criminal syndicates and individuals involved in violent criminal activities that the police will not stand by and allow officers to be attacked while executing their lawful duties. Any attempt to attack police officers will be met with a lawful and proportionate response in accordance with the law.”
Separate Early-Morning Raid on Entumbane Primary School
While the brothers were being brought before the court, police were investigating a separate robbery at Mthombowesizwe Primary School in Entumbane. Five masked men allegedly struck the Bulawayo City Council-owned school at approximately 4:00 AM on Thursday.
The intruders disabled the alarm system and switched off the exterior lights before forcing their way into the administration block using angle grinders. Dressed in black, they searched the premises for cash, but the safe contained only US$17.
During the raid, the suspects cornered the school’s sole security guard, stripped him naked, and forced him to lie at the assembly point. While some gang members kept watch over him, others searched the school grounds.
A source commented on the incident:
“The safe had US$17 only, it is good schools are heeding police advice not of keep huge sums of money at school premises and ordering parents to pay at banks. They stripped naked the only guard who was at the school. After they left he sought help from the school caretaker and they called the police.”
After the robbers fled, the guard sought help from the school caretaker, who alerted the police. Multiple units responded to the scene, and two gunshots were reportedly heard around 4:15 AM. An ambulance transported the guard to the hospital for a medical examination, and he is assisting police with their inquiries.
Investigation and Context
The suspects are believed to have escaped by jumping over the school’s perimeter wall. No arrests had been made by the time of reporting. The robbery follows a string of recent attacks targeting shops in Entumbane, prompting active discussions among local residents in WhatsApp groups following reports of gunfire.
Police have repeatedly urged schools and businesses to avoid keeping large amounts of cash on site, recommending that tuition fees be paid directly through banking and financial institutions.
Schools across the region have increasingly faced violent crimes:
- January 2024: George Silundika High School in Bulawayo lost over US$17,000 during a robbery.
- April 2026: A security guard at Hallingbury Primary School in Mabelreign died in the hospital following a violent assault during a break-in, leading to increased police patrols in the area.
Authorities confirmed that the Norwood shoot-out and the Entumbane school robbery remain completely separate investigations.