Armed Gang Strikes Village of Hope Orphanage in Harare Suburb
In a brazen and prolonged attack, armed robbers targeted the Village of Hope Institution, a church and orphanage located in the Westgate suburb of Harare, Zimbabwe. The assailants made off with more than $30,000 in cash after overpowering security personnel and thoroughly searching administrative offices.
Details of the Prolonged Raid and Assaults
According to Director Richard Chimbetete, three gunmen spent close to an hour ransacking multiple offices within the facility. The targeted areas included the offices of the bishop, social workers, the director, and the finance department. The robbers systematically forced entry into these spaces, looting safes and cash boxes.
Security guards on duty faced violent resistance. One guard who attempted to resist was disarmed, assaulted with the butt of a rifle, handcuffed, and then tied up using electric cables in a borehole pump room. A second guard, who was conducting perimeter checks, was also attacked and struck with an unknown object before the robbers proceeded to the administration offices.
Financial Losses and Witness Account
Investigators reported that the stolen cash included $25,000 from the director's office, $2,500 from the human resources office, and smaller amounts from finance and social services offices, culminating in a total haul exceeding $30,000. During the incident, a church member who was praying encountered the attackers. She was intercepted by one robber and ordered to lie on the ground until they completed their operation.
Weapon Linked to Previous Police Ambush
Authorities suspect the robbers were armed with a Zimbabwe Republic Police G3 rifle that was stolen days earlier during an ambush in Mabelreign. In that prior attack, masked men ambushed three police officers, damaged their vehicle, and took the firearm. The rifle was later recovered at the orphanage scene after one of the suspects reportedly dropped it during the raid.
Growing Security Concerns in Western Harare
This incident has heightened fears over an increasing wave of armed robberies in western Harare suburbs, including Westgate, Marlborough, and Mabelreign. Ward councillor Kudzai Kadzombe issued a warning to residents about a suspected four-man gang believed to be behind multiple attacks. The gang is known to use aliases such as 'Satan' and 'Captain'.
Residents have been strongly advised not to confront the suspects directly due to their armed and dangerous nature. Instead, they are urged to report any information or recognition of the individuals directly to the police to aid in the investigation and ensure community safety.
