By Own Correspondent
A female armed robber was gunned down following a high-speed chase and shootout with police detectives in Kuwadzana, Harare, on Wednesday.
The woman was identified in a leaked police memo dated March 24 as Lucy Nyakudya (20) of Kuwadzana 1.
She was one of the two women who were part of the 7-member gang linked to a spate of robberies and have pending court cases dating as far back as 2009.
National spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi revealed that the robbers hit a home in Marimba suburb; making off with US$500, a television set and a cellular phone. He said:
“We confirm the arrest of Kudzanai Manyonga(35); Tonica Farai Msoro (27); Prosper Magwejani (44); Gilbert Chikukwa (54); Chancellor Thandi (40); Robinson Chinhuka (42) and Amiah Chayi (18) on the 23rd of March for a spate of armed robberies which occurred in Harare, Mutoko, Macheke and other areas.
“… The suspects dropped a stolen television and a cellphone belonging to one of the gang members at the scene. Investigations by police led to the identification of one of the suspects through the dropped cellphone”.
Asst-Comm Nyathi said detectives traced the suspects to Kuwadzana 1 suburb on Wednesday. He added:
“Upon discovering that they had been cornered, the suspects drove away in their vehicle and a chase ensued. The suspects fired shots at detectives, resulting in a shootout.
They stopped their vehicle, leading to their arrest and recovery of a Smith and Wesson pistol with three rounds.
It was also established that one of the suspects, Lucy Nyakudza, had a wound on her chest.
She was rushed to Sally Mugabe Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
