Police have arrested two armed robbery suspects after four others were shot dead during a shootout in Warren Park, Harare.
The incident occurred on 30 March 2026.
In a statement, National Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests and the deaths.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirm the arrest of Nelson Chitima (28) and Edson Guvira (38), and the subsequent deaths of Mike Manyima (37), Office Chanakira (38) and two other suspects identified only as ‘Atenzi’ and ‘Chris’ following a shootout with police in Warren Park, Harare, on 30 March 2026.
“This is in connection with a series of armed-robbery incidents that occurred in and around Harare during February and March 2026.”
Commissioner Nyathi said detectives acted on the received information.
“On 30 March 2026, detectives from CID Homicide Harare arrested Nelson Chitima at his residence in Glenview 7 Extension, Harare.
“The suspect implicated Edson Guvira, Mike Manyima, Office Chanakira, Atenzi and Chris as his accomplices.
“Chitima’s arrest led to the recovery of a Nissan NV350 (registration AGO 3840) used as a getaway vehicle, a white balaclava, two pairs of gloves and an assortment of liquor.
“Nelson Chitima assisted detectives in luring Edson Guvira to Mhishi Shopping Centre, Harare. Upon noticing the detectives, Guvira fled.
“Officers fired warning shots, but he did not stop and was subsequently shot in the leg and arrested.”
Further investigations led detectives to Warren Park 1 Shopping Centre, where they observed Mike Manyima, Office Chanakira, Atenzi and Chris arrive in a Toyota Passo and appear to be planning another robbery.
The suspects waited for the arrival of the other two accomplices.
“Police identified themselves and ordered the suspects to surrender; the suspects opened fire on officers.
“A shootout ensued, resulting in the four suspects being shot.
“They were taken to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Harare, where they were pronounced dead on admission.
“A search of the suspects’ getaway car recovered a 70 Vozol pistol with a three-round magazine, a .38 Rossi revolver loaded with one round, a Supercat 1911 pellet gun, thirty-five 9mm live rounds, eight emulators, four fuses, a paper spray, a balaclava, four cellphones and two national identity cards belonging to Mike Manyima and Office Chanakira.
“Detectives also recovered three vehicles: a black Toyota Hiace (registration AHI 3060), a purple Toyota Passo (registration AGS 0558) and a red Honda Fit (registration AGG 2485).”
Commissioner Nyathi said the suspects are linked to multiple armed-robbery cases, including an incident on 25 February 2026 at Kuwadzana 2 Shopping Centre where they broke into shops and stole goods valued at US$500.
In another case on 26 February 2026 in Avenues, Harare, the suspects attacked security guards and stole a .38 Rossi revolver.
On 25 March 2026, the suspects raided a liquor store in Glen Norah and stole beers and whisky valued at US$1,989.
