HARARE – Four suspected armed robbers were killed in a shootout with police in Warren Park, Harare, following a crackdown on a gang linked to a series of violent robberies across the capital in February and March 2026, police said on Wednesday.
Two other suspects – Nelson Chitima, 28, and Edson Guvira, 38, – were arrested.
The four who died were identified as Mike Manyima, 37, Office Chanakira, 38, and two others known only as Atenzi and Chris. All four were pronounced dead upon admission to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.
On March 30, detectives from CID Homicide Harare moved on a tip-off and arrested Nelson Chitima at his Glenview 7 Extension residence.
Chitima named his accomplices and assisted detectives in luring Edson Guvira to Mhishi Shopping Centre. When Guvira spotted the officers and fled, police fired warning shots. He allegedly did not stop and was shot in the leg, leading to his arrest.
A Nissan NV350 getaway vehicle, a white balaclava, two pairs of gloves and an assortment of liquor were recovered.
Further investigations led detectives to Warren Park 1 Shopping Centre, where Manyima, Chanakira, Atenzi and Chris were observed arriving in a Toyota Passo, reportedly planning another robbery. When police identified themselves and ordered the suspects to surrender, the suspects allegedly opened fire.
A shootout ensued and all four were fatally wounded, national police spokesman Commissioner Paul Nyathi said.
A search of the suspects’ getaway vehicle yielded a significant cache of weapons and evidence, including a .70 Vozol pistol with a three-round magazine, a .38 Rossi revolver loaded with one round, a Supercat 1911 pellet gun, 35 x 9mm live rounds, eight detonators, four fuses, a paper spray, a balaclava, four mobile phones and two national identity cards belonging to Manyima and Chanakira.
Three additional vehicles were also recovered: a Black Toyota Hiace, a purple Toyota Passo and a red Honda Fit.
Nyathi said the gang is being linked to multiple robberies, including a break-in at Kuwadzana 2 Shopping Centre on February 25 in which goods worth US$500 were stolen; an attack on security guards at Aspindale on February 26, 2026, during which a .38 Rossi revolver was stolen; and a raid on a Glen Norah liquor store on March 25, 2026, in which lager beers and whisky valued at US$1,989 were taken.
Nyathi said “there is no going back in the fight against armed robbery cases in the country” and police would “decisively respond appropriately to any form of violent confrontation by armed robbery gangs.”
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