KADOMA – Three armed robbery suspects died from injuries suffered during a Tuesday shootout in Kadoma with police detectives who were trailing them over a spate of robberies in some Bulawayo schools.

This followed the arrest in Bulawayo earlier, of two foreign nationals who were linked to the gang.

According to a statement by police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the two led detectives to Kadoma after revealing they were plotting another robbery with the now deceased trio of Peter Ngulube, 38, Shylock Makoni, 41, and Tendai Madiki, 52.

The three, according to police, died as they attempted to flee when they were confronted by detectives.

“On December 5, 2023, detectives from CID Homicide, Bulawayo acted on received information and arrested two foreign national suspects in Bulawayo,” Nyathi said.

“The two suspects admitted to committing several armed robberies around Bulawayo and they revealed that they were in transit to Kadoma where they would meet their accomplices, Peter Ngulube, Shylock Makoni and Tendai Madiki with an intention to commit another robbery.

“The two suspects led detectives to Tandara Shopping Centre, Ingezi, Kadoma where they positively identified the other three suspects who were driving a silver Toyota Raider D4D registration number AFR 4376 to the detectives.

“On seeing the detectives, the suspects opened fire whilst speeding off and a shootout ensued.”

Nyathi said the detectives searched the suspects’ motor vehicle and recovered an A.38 Smith and Wesson revolver with one round, seven spent cartridges, two gas operated pellet guns, a bolt cutter, a crow bar, a machete, a pepper spray, two balaclavas and three pairs of woolen gloves.

“Two of the suspects, Peter Ngulube and Shylock Makoni were seriously injured and were rushed to Kadoma General Hospital where they were pronounced dead.

“Tendai Madiki was shot when he tried to run away during indications in Muzvezve, Kadoma where detectives were recovering other weapons used to commit criminal acts by the suspects,” Nyathi said.

Madiki was taken to Kadoma General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

According to Nyathi, investigations revealed that the suspects were linked to five robberies including one at Inyanda High School, Gwabalanda on September 9 where 26 HP laptops valued at US$13,000 were stolen, as well as a robbery on September 13, 2023 at Ingwengwe Primary School, Bulawayo where US$1,253 cash was stolen.

The gang is also linked to a robbery on September 15, 2023 at Queen Elizabeth Primary School, Illanda, Bulawayo where solar panels were stolen.

Meanwhile, police are appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of the outstanding suspect only identified as Gody of Maboleni Village.