Armed Robbers Raid Orphanage and Church, Making Off with $30,000

A group of armed men targeted the Village of Hope Institution in Harare’s Westgate suburb, executing a prolonged robbery that resulted in the theft of over $30,000.

During the nearly hour-long raid, three gunmen overpowered the facility’s security personnel and systematically ransacked administrative offices, including those belonging to the director, the bishop, and the finance department.

The attackers focused on cash boxes and safes, eventually escaping with a significant sum intended for the institution’s charitable operations.

The assault was marked by violence against the on-site security team. One guard was disarmed, beaten with a rifle butt, and tied up with electric cables in a pump room, while a second guard was struck with a blunt object during a perimeter check.

A church member who was praying at the time also encountered the robbers and was forced to lie on the ground at gunpoint until the gang finished their search. Director Richard Chimbetete confirmed that the haul included $25,000 from his office alone, along with smaller amounts from human resources and social services.

Police investigators have linked the weapon used in the robbery to a brazen ambush on officers that occurred just days earlier in the nearby Mabelreign area. A Zimbabwe Republic Police G3 rifle, which was stolen from three officers during that previous attack, was recovered at the orphanage scene after one of the suspects reportedly dropped it while fleeing.

This connection has intensified the hunt for a notorious four-man gang—led by individuals using the aliases “Satan” and “Captain”—who are believed to be responsible for a series of violent crimes targeting religious and community institutions across Harare’s western suburbs.

Local officials, including Ward Councillor Kudzai Kadzombe, have issued urgent warnings to the Marlborough and Westgate communities, describing the suspects as armed and extremely dangerous.

Residents have been urged to avoid any direct confrontation with the gang members and to report any information to the authorities immediately. The recovery of the stolen police rifle at the Village of Hope is seen as a significant lead for investigators as they work to dismantle the criminal cell terrorizing the region.