The ManicaPost
Post Correspondents
FOUR unknown armed robbers pounced at ZAOGA Church in Chipinge and made good their escape with more than $3 000. The four assaulted Pastor Jephson Mudukuti (54) and his wife, Agnes of ZAOGA Assembly in the medium-density suburb before vanishing with $2 129 and R3 163.A manhunt for the suspects has since been launched.
“We are appealing to members of the public with information leading to the arrest of the quartet to contact their nearest police station. The four were so determined to wipe out every dollar that was at the church premises.
“We urge people to bank their money. It has come to our attention that there are robbers who are targeting churches and escape with large amounts of money,” said deputy Manicaland provincial police spokesman, Assistant Inspector Luxson Chananda.
The incident happened at around 3am.
The robbers gained entrance after they forcibly opened the doors using iron bars. The assaulted the couple before demanding money. The couple handed over $250.
“They further assaulted the couple demanding more money. The couple gave in and revealed that Mrs Martha Pahla (48) of Gaza Township in Chipinge had keys of where the other money was kept. They went to Mrs Pahla’s place using the couple’s Toyota Land-Cruiser Prado vehicle.
“They forcibly collected the keys and stole $2 120 and R3163. They headed to the church’s provincial church office, tied Mrs Pahla and dumped her in a church cottage,” said Asst Insp Chananda.
In their quest to collect more money, they went to another church member, Mrs Lydia Chimbande, who knew where more church money was.
The robbers dropped off at Chimbande’s place leaving, Pastor Mudukuti and his wife in the car as well as car keys on the ignition.
He drove away and reported the matter to the police.
