HARARE – Armed robbers ambushed a police patrol in Harare early Friday, overpowering three officers and making off with a Heckler & Koch G3 rifle, their vehicle and two mobile phones in a brazen attack that left all three hospitalised.
The robbery took place at around 12.20AM along Northolt Road near Divaris Makaharis School in the Mabelreign area, according to an internal police memo seen by ZimLive.
Inspector Magidi, Constable Chihanga and Constable Nyamushamba were on stationary patrol when three men wearing black balaclavas emerged from the darkness armed with a claw bar and a high-powered torch.
“Suddenly three male adults wearing black balaclavas appeared in front of the car armed with a claw bar and a high-powered torch,” the memo states.
Inspector Magidi ordered Constable Chihanga to open fire, but the G3 rifle jammed as he attempted to shoot through the open window. The attackers seized the moment, surrounding the vehicle and smashing the windscreen with the claw bar.
Constable Nyamushamba, who had been at the wheel, managed to escape through the driver’s door but was struck on the shoulder with the claw bar. Inspector Magidi attempted to exit and engage the robbers but was hit on the forehead with a brick and collapsed.
Constable Chihanga, blocked from leaving the vehicle, struck one attacker with the rifle butt and forced his way out – only to be hit twice on the head with a claw bar.
He fell, and the robbers grabbed the G3 and its seven-round magazine before driving off in the vehicle, a white Nissan Tiida registration ACS 1584.
All three officers were taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital, where their condition is described as stable.
Police are hunting three suspects and seeking to recover the stolen vehicle, the G3 rifle and two mobile phones – a Samsung A15 and a Tecno 10.
