By Staff Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested Khumbulani Sibanda (39) for allegedly fabricating a robbery report involving the theft of US$287,000 and an unregistered Toyota Allion vehicle.
The incident occurred in Harare on December 11, 2024, wherein the allegedly stolen car was found dumped in Mutoko.
In a statement, the ZRP national spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said during investigations it was established that Sibanda faked the robbery.
“Investigations by the police established that the robbery incident was false, and the suspect had travelled to Mutoko by public transport after producing an identification card from a local bus company.
“Upon arrival, he phoned a Mutoko business owner claiming that he wanted to buy his garage in Adbennie for US$900 000. He later told the businessperson that he had been robbed of the money,” said Nyathi
A deeper probe revealed that in order for Sibanda to bolster his credibility, he initiated sales processes with various owners and even hired private security for cash-in-transit services.
“Further investigations by the police revealed that the suspect approached several businesspeople, private security companies and property owners, claiming that he had a lot of cash and wanted to buy residential and business premises in Harare.
“To gain credibility, the suspect initiated the sale process with some of the owners and even hired private security companies for cash-in-transit services,” said the police spokesman.
Nyathi also added that, “The suspect’s goal in faking robbery was to exploit the victims’ sympathy and manipulate them into giving him money.”
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