Armed robbers shoot 10-month-old baby dead, arrested hours after robbery operation

Six out of the seven members of a robbery gang which shot and killed a 10-month-old baby in Macheke, Zimbabwe, have been arrested hours after the heinous crime.

The gang reportedly attacked the home of businessman Shephard Haruzivi late in the night. It was gathered that after Haruzivi fired two shots at the gang with his registered gun, the armed robbers returned fire and, in the process, killed 10-month-old Moreblessing Haruzivi.

Moreblessing was shot in the chest and died from the bullet wound. His mother, Dephine Makokola, was seriously injured as she took a bullet to the left lower breast.

The gang robbed the family of US$500 and a Toyota Fortuner vehicle. They used the South Africa-registered Toyota Fortuner belonging to their first victims to travel 60 kilometres to Macheke.

Detectives used a tracker on the stolen Toyota Fortuner to track down and arrest members of the gang.

Before being arrested, the robbers shot at the police officers but were overpowered. Two out of the six arrested suspects were taken to Marondera Hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during the shootout.

They have now been charged with murder, attempted murder and armed robbery. The six have been identified as Trust Sakavengwa, 37, of Chitungwiza, Gift Nhema of Shamva, Clemence Muterengwende, 38, of Seke and brothers Pearson, Machipisa, 29, Panganai Machipisa, 36, and Brian Machipisa, 38, all of Chitungwiza.