Armed robbers stormed a church and orphanage in Harare, Zimbabwe, in a violent overnight raid that left security personnel injured and resulted in the theft of more than $30,000 in cash. The incident, which has sparked renewed concern over rising armed robberies in the capital’s western suburbs, targeted the Village of Hope Institution located in the Westgate area.
According to reports, three armed men carried out the attack, overpowering security guards before spending nearly an hour moving through multiple offices within the facility. The attackers reportedly forced their way into administrative sections of the institution, including offices belonging to the bishop, social workers, the director, and the finance department, before escaping with large sums of money taken from safes and cash boxes.
The director of the institution, Richard Chimbetete, confirmed the extent of the raid, describing how the attackers moved systematically through the premises. He said the assailants ransacked several offices and collected cash from different departments before fleeing the scene. “Three armed men ransacked offices belonging to the institution, including those of the bishop, social workers, the director and finance, for nearly an hour before fleeing with cash,” he stated.
During the attack, security guards on duty were violently overpowered. One guard who attempted to resist was reportedly disarmed and assaulted with the butt of a rifle. The attackers allegedly handcuffed him and confined him in a borehole pump room, where he was tied with electric cables. The brutality of the assault has raised concerns about the level of violence used in the operation.
A second guard, who had been carrying out perimeter checks at the time of the raid, was also attacked. Reports indicate that he was struck with an unknown object before the robbers proceeded into the administrative section of the facility. The coordinated nature of the assault suggests the attackers were familiar with the layout of the institution and its security routines.
Investigators say the suspects gained access to multiple offices and stole significant sums of money during the operation. Approximately $25,000 was taken from the director’s office, while $2,500 was reportedly removed from the human resources department. Additional smaller amounts were also taken from finance and social services offices, bringing the total stolen cash to more than $30,000.
In a disturbing twist, a church member who was present at the institution during the incident also encountered the armed suspects. According to accounts, she went to check at the gate after hearing unusual commotion but instead heard a security guard calling for help. One of the armed men reportedly intercepted her and ordered her to lie on the ground while the raid continued.
Authorities believe the attackers may have used a firearm linked to a previous violent incident involving law enforcement officers. A Zimbabwe Republic Police G3 rifle, allegedly stolen days earlier during an ambush in Mabelreign in which three officers were attacked and their vehicle damaged, is suspected to have been used in the robbery. The weapon was later reportedly recovered at the scene of the orphanage after one of the suspects dropped it while fleeing.
The discovery of the rifle has deepened concerns about the circulation of stolen police weapons and the growing boldness of criminal gangs operating in parts of western Harare. Law enforcement officials have since intensified investigations into the robbery and possible links to earlier violent incidents in the region.
Community leaders have also raised alarm over what appears to be an emerging pattern of organized attacks in suburbs such as Westgate, Marlborough, and Mabelreign. Ward councillor Kudzai Kadzombe warned residents to remain vigilant, noting that a suspected gang may be responsible for multiple robberies in the area. In a public advisory, she urged the community to assist law enforcement with any useful information that could help identify the suspects.
“We are asking residents to help identify this man, who is part of a four-man gang terrorising our Marlborough community using the aliases ‘Satan’ and ‘Captain’,” the statement read. Authorities have also cautioned residents against confronting the suspects directly, stressing that they are considered armed and dangerous.
As investigations continue, the Harare robbery has highlighted growing security challenges facing institutions such as churches, schools, and charitable organizations, which are increasingly being targeted by armed criminals. Police say efforts are underway to track down the suspects and recover any remaining stolen funds, while also addressing the broader threat posed by organized criminal networks in the region.
