Two private colleges in Ruwa and Gweru recently fell victim to robberies, resulting in the loss of approximately US$17,500 in cash. Police suspect that the perpetrators may have had inside help from the colleges’ staff.

In Gweru, a group of five robbers broke into Sacred Heart College, attacking security guards and staff. They made off with US$15,886, club funds, personal cash, laptops, and CCTV equipment. Meanwhile, in Ruwa, six robbers targeted Ariel Primary School, stealing property and cash worth US$1,500 on December 29.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that investigations are still ongoing. These incidents have drawn attention to the potential risks associated with handling large amounts of cash received as school fees, which are not always deposited in banks immediately, creating opportunities for theft and robbery.

Both colleges assured parents and the public of the safety of their students and staff. Sacred Heart College’s school board chairman, Walter Nemasisi, informed parents that the incident occurred in the early hours of January 10, 2024. He stated that fees received from a few parents, club funds, personal cash, laptops, and CCTV equipment were stolen but reassured everyone that the normal schooling program remains unaffected.

At Ariel Primary School, chairman of governors Advocate Thembinkosi Magwaliba shared a statement with parents, recounting the harrowing experience of six armed robbers attacking the residences of the school’s head and deputy head. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the robbers abducted the head along with two security guards and her partner. They later abandoned them in Harare after committing another armed robbery in Ruwa and engaging in a shoot-out.

Lomagundi College near Chinhoyi also experienced a robbery on Tuesday night, when 10 armed individuals held staff members hostage before stealing pistols, cash, laptops, and cellphones. The loot was loaded into a school deputy head’s vehicle, and the robbers fled the scene.