Suburban
A woman recently lost a cellphone and US$56 after boarding a pirate taxi commonly known as mushikashika in Marlborough.
Peter Tanyanyiwa Suburban Reporter
The woman boarded the pirate taxi a black Honda Fit along Harare Drive near Standard Chartered Sports Club around 1500 hours on May 22.
When the car got to the intersection of Lomagundi and Second Street Extension, one of the occupants who was seated on the front passenger seat jumped to the back seat wielding a knife and grabbed the woman by her neck.
The man ordered the woman to bent down and put her head between her legs. She screamed and in the process was stabbed on the nose.
The robbers blindfolded her and the car was driven to a place she could not recognise where she was robbed of her cash and cellphone.
The robbers later dumped the woman in Emerald Hill along Broadlands Road.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza confirmed the incident and urged Harare residents to avoid using pirate taxis.
“In a case of robbery which occurred along Lomagundi Road Avondale on the 22nd of May 2023 at about 1500hrs and along Harare Drive the complainant boarded a Honda Fit, registration number was not captured, proceeding to the CBD.
‘‘When they reached Second Street Extension the accused drove into Lomagundi Road and the other accused produced a knife and pointed to the complainant demanding her belongings.
‘‘They searched the complainant and stole her Itel cell phone and cash US$56.
‘‘They later dumped her along Broadlands Road in Emerald Hill. A report was made at ZRP Avondale. As police we always appeal to the members of the public not to use pirate taxis whenever they are travelling. We encourage them to use registered commuter omnibuses,” said Inspector Chakanza.
Police continue to warn commuters against using pirate taxis.
Ward 41 Councillor Kudzai Kadzombe also urged Marlborough residents and all residents in Harare to shun pirate taxis.
“With reports from several areas in Harare of robberies where criminals are now using pirate taxis popularly known as mushikashika with the latest resident to fall victim coming from Ward 41, I would like to re-emphasise the calls to avoid mushikashikas which our ZRP have been making.
“ Let’s avoid all suspicious vehicles that we may come across. It’s better to be late where you will be going than to be the late yourself. Let’s be cautious criminals are now everywhere.
‘‘If residents see any suspicious vehicles they should also report these vehicles to the nearest police station and take the vehicle registration number,” said Cllr Kadzombe.
