Several suspects have been arrested in Kwekwe District following a police crackdown on armed robberies, some of which were carried out using fake pistols and pellet guns. Authorities say the ongoing operation has already led to the recovery of counterfeit weapons, as law enforcement steps up efforts to restore security in the Midlands mining town.
The clampdown comes amid growing concern over violent crime in Zimbabwe, with armed robberies increasingly targeting businesses, transport operators, and individuals. Police say the Kwekwe operation is part of a broader national strategy aimed at curbing the proliferation of dangerous weapons and reining in violent gangs.
According to police, some of the arrested suspects had been terrorising residents using imitation firearms, which allowed them to intimidate victims without carrying real guns. Chief Superintendent Ison Chapeta, the Officer Commanding Kwekwe District (DISPOL), said the trend of using pellet guns and toy pistols in robberies had become particularly troubling.
“We have been rocked by unresolved cases of armed robberies as a district,” Chapeta said. “On 14 August, we enacted a prohibition order that bars the public from carrying dangerous weapons. This has led to several arrests of people in connection with armed robberies and grievous bodily harm. The suspects are now facing multiple charges before the courts.”
Among the items recovered were knives, pellet guns, and fake pistols that closely resembled real firearms. Police say such weapons not only put victims in fear for their lives but also pose risks when suspects confront law enforcement officers who may mistake the fake guns for real ones.
Chief Superintendent Chapeta said the crackdown is far from over, warning that more arrests are expected as police expand their dragnet.
“The net is widening. There is no place to hide for would-be offenders,” he said. “All I can say is that we cannot win this war without public support. I therefore urge the community to work hand in glove with the police until we weed out uncouth elements in our society.”
Chapeta added that police operations were being guided by a recent directive from the national command, which instructed districts to decisively deal with firearms and other dangerous weapons. “We are all out, as you have seen. This is just the beginning,” he said.
The police have also increased patrols in Kwekwe’s high-density suburbs and gold mining areas, where gangs are known to operate. Roadblocks and night raids have been introduced as part of the wider campaign to dismantle criminal networks.
Police Crackdown in Kwekwe Nets Several Suspects After Spate of Robberies
The Kwekwe crackdown comes as Zimbabwe grapples with a wave of armed robberies that have shocked the nation. In recent years, cases of violent heists targeting cash-in-transit vehicles, business premises, and private homes have become more frequent.
Some incidents have turned deadly, with victims losing their lives in brutal attacks. The recent killing of Harare businessman Joseph Mutangadura, who was gunned down in cold blood during a robbery, has reignited debate about the country’s gun laws and the accessibility of firearms.
Authorities say while some gangs are armed with real guns — often smuggled into the country or stolen from licensed owners — many others rely on replicas and crude weapons to achieve the same terrifying effect. Police believe the growing use of fake firearms points to criminal desperation, but also highlights gaps in how communities and businesses prepare for violent crime.
Law enforcement officials have stressed that public cooperation is crucial to the success of the ongoing campaign. Residents are being encouraged to report suspicious activity, particularly in areas where gangs are known to operate.
“Communities are the eyes and ears of the police,” a Midlands provincial police spokesperson said. “We rely on tip-offs and information from residents to identify suspicious movements and dismantle these criminal syndicates. Without community support, criminals will continue to hide in plain sight.”
Civil society groups have also welcomed the crackdown but warned that policing must be accompanied by social interventions. Some activists argue that high unemployment and economic hardship have pushed many young people into crime, making law enforcement only one part of the solution.
For now, authorities in Kwekwe say they will continue to tighten the screws on crime, with more raids and arrests expected in the coming weeks. Police believe the recovery of fake firearms and the arrests made so far send a strong message to would-be offenders that no corner of the district is beyond the reach of law enforcement.
“The people of Kwekwe deserve to live in peace,” Chief Superintendent Chapeta said. “We will not rest until we restore law and order in our communities.”
As the country watches the developments in Kwekwe, the crackdown is being viewed as a test case for how effectively Zimbabwe’s police can respond to the rising tide of violent robberies. With armed gangs — both real and fake — continuing to threaten public safety, many will be hoping the message is clear: the days of terrorising communities with impunity may be numbered.
Source- ZBC
