Gang of thieves foiled by homeowner’s sulphuric acid attack
In a daring move, a homeowner in Zhombe managed to fend off a gang of armed robbers by pouring sulphuric acid on their faces through a hole in the door they were trying to break down. Two of the four-member gang sustained severe burns and had to seek medical attention, leading to their eventual capture by the police.
Tatenda Bhebhe, 23, and Mollen Banda, 27, were arrested while receiving treatment at Kadoma General Hospital and Gweru General Hospital, respectively. The other two members of the gang, Tafadzwa Moyo, 21, and Learnmore Masaga, 22, were also apprehended after being implicated by their accomplices.
Tatenda Bhebhe, one of the armed robbers, recovering in hospital following the sulphuric acid attack by their potential victim [Image: The Chronicle]The gang had been linked to five other criminal cases, ranging from vandalism to robbery. However, their luck ran out when they attempted to break into Brighton Dlodlo’s house in Village Ndabenkulu Chief Gwesela in the early hours of February 20, 2023.
According to Midlands Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, the gang had been breaking into houses and stealing cash and property in the area. But Dlodlo was not going to let that happen to him.
Speaking to the daily publication, The Chronicle, Inspector Mahoko said,
“After being awakened by the noise of the gang trying to break through the door to gain entrance into the house, Dlodlo took a bottle containing sulphuric acid and sprinkled it on the suspects’ faces through a hole they had created on the door resulting in them running for dear life,” said Inspector Mahoko.
The incident has left the community shaken but relieved that the robbers have been caught.