A gang of eight armed robbers stormed a church in Belvedere, Harare, during the early hours of Saturday, attacking a security guard and a congregant before fleeing with US$8,000 in cash. The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. at a church located along Hudson Avenue.
The suspects reportedly forced their way onto the church grounds before launching a coordinated assault. According to police, the gang targeted the church’s offices, where the money was kept. The robbery unfolded while a congregant was in prayer and a security guard was on duty.
In an official statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing. “Eight unknown suspects gained entry into the premises, attacked the two individuals, and ransacked the offices,” he said. The stolen money is believed to have been part of church collections.
Police revealed that the robbers fled the scene using the congregant’s own vehicle a silver Toyota IST, registration number ACT 8786
as their getaway car. Authorities are appealing for public assistance in locating the vehicle and identifying the suspects.
No arrests have been made, and the health conditions of the injured victims remain unclear. The brazen attack has rattled the Belvedere community and renewed concerns about the growing trend of criminal gangs targeting churches and other vulnerable institutions.
