Crimes and Courts
Kwekwe – Police in the Midlands Province have launched a major crackdown on criminals using sophisticated replica firearms to terrorize and rob residents, amid a alarming rise in such incidents.
The fake weapons, which are often indistinguishable from real pistols, have become the tool of choice for robbers, creating a wave of fear in communities. This trend has contributed significantly to an increase in reported armed robberies throughout the province and the nation.
The reality of this threat was felt by Kwekwe petrol attendant, Mrs. Maria Muchekeza, who was robbed of US$2,000 by a masked assailant brandishing what she believed was a genuine firearm.
“When they raided my shop, they were holding what looked like a genuine pistol. Only after their arrest was I told it was a replica. In that moment, you can’t tell the difference as it feels real,” she recounted.
Confirming the crisis, the officer in charge of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Kwekwe, Detective Chief Inspector Samuel Gono, stated that police have arrested several suspects and recovered a cache of imitation weapons.
“We have recovered toy guns, pellet guns, shockers and Colombian knives during the operation,” Det Chief Insp Gono said.
The ongoing police operation, codenamed “No to Illegal Firearms, Dangerous Weapons or Toy Guns”, is part of a broader response to a prohibition order issued on August 14 that bans the carrying of dangerous weapons.
Officer Commanding Kwekwe District, Chief Superintendent Ison Chapeta, appealed for public cooperation.
“We cannot win this war without public support,” he emphasized, highlighting that the crackdown has already led to multiple arrests for armed robbery and grievous bodily harm.
Assistant Commissioner Christopher Ngulube, in charge of administration in Midlands Province, linked the operation to the need for heightened security in an economic zone flush with cash from agriculture and mining.
“We have launched this operation to weed out robbers and ensure public safety,” he said, adding that police are collaborating with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) to monitor the illegal entry of such weapons.
This surge in crimes involving replica firearms occurs against a backdrop of heightened national concern over violen armed robberies, which have recently included high-profile and fatal attacks.
Zim GBC News | Global News From An African Perspective©2025