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Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting of several people in Harare yesterday (17 April).
According to reports from the community, at least eight people were shot dead in three separate incidents. Four people, including a woman, were killed in a shack at Ncumo Road, while a man’s body was found near the Dubai informal settlement.
In a separate incident three people, including a woman, were ambushed inside a local church at Mbotyi Street.
According to residents, the incidents are related.
However, police have disputed this.
Provincial police spokesperson Col Andre Traut said only five people were killed. He said the incident was being probed by detectives from the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit. “Around 06:00 police were summoned to a shooting incident in Ncumo Street where the bodies of four males and one female were discovered with gunshot wounds. The identities of the victims are yet to be determined. We have reason to believe the death of the five people can be linked to an incident in the early hours of the morning when another male was shot and killed in the same vicinity.”
Harare Police Station Special Crime Prevention Forum Vice Secretary Moses Ntanyana said the forum was shocked by the incident. He said it is painful to see people killed like flies. He urged various community stakeholders to come on board to root crime in the community out. “We condemn the incident. We are appealing to the community to stop killing one another. It is not a good experience to see several bodies lying on the ground. People must learn to respect each other.”
Anele Gabuza, Ward 98 councillor, described some of the deceased as problematic in the community. “I know some of them and they were well-known criminals. They were robbing people of their belongings in the community. And I believe the incidents are related.” He urged all the community stakeholders to unite against crime.
Any person with information is kindly requested to contact Col Mthetho Maxabaniso on 082 339 7320 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. The mobile application MySAPS can also be used anonymously.
