A 45-year-old South African on a visit to Zimbabwe was robbed of R5 000 cash, various clothing items, a cell phone and 700 liters of fuel at gunpoint by two unknown suspects last week, police have said.

The local police spokesperson, Insp Phibion Nyambo, said the incident occurred on Friday, June 12, at around 18:00 along the Beit Bridge-Masvingo road.

The victim, who hails from Polokwane, was coming from South Africa and heading to Masvingo and driving a Volvo bakkie. According to Nyambo, the victim saw a blue flashing light, which he apparently interpreted as a police roadblock. “The victim then stopped his car and at that moment two armed robbers approached him while he remained in his car. One of the suspects then pointed a pistol at him, while the other one pulled out a knife and they started to search him.”

The suspects then loaded the loot onto their car, which had a green canvas cover, and drove off at high speed towards Masvingo.

The victim reported the matter to the police and a manhunt for the suspects has since been launched. “We have not made any arrests so far, but have intensified our investigations and we are also appealing to community members to assist us with information that might lead to the arrest of the armed robbers,” he said.

“We also urged motorists to be extra cautious and be vigilant on our roads. They should stop only where there are clearly defined features of a police roadblock and we also urge people to avoid parking in secluded places such as lay-bye points,” Nyambo said.

Of late there has been an increase in the number of armed robbery cases along the same highway and a number of unsuspecting motorists continue to fall prey to the armed robbery syndicates operating at lay-byes along the highway.

Recently, two South Africans and a Beit Bridge woman were also robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash in United States dollars and R12 000, as well as groceries.