Police in Harare are investigating a brazen armed robbery that took place at Ligi Sports Bar in the Central Business District, where three unidentified men made off with a cash safe and other valuables in the early hours of the morning.
According to a statement released by Harare provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, the robbery occurred when the suspects arrived at the popular bar in an unregistered white AD Van. The gang, believed to have carefully planned the heist, swiftly overpowered a security guard stationed at the premises before executing their crime.
One of the robbers, armed with a pistol, reportedly confronted the security guard and demanded the keys to the main gate. Under duress, the guard complied, allowing one of the suspects to reverse the getaway vehicle into the premises while the other two moved inside the property.
The gang then proceeded to the bar’s main office, where they located and lifted a heavy-duty safe believed to contain a significant amount of cash. In addition to the safe, the robbers stole the security guard’s cellphone and US$30 in cash before fleeing the scene.
Inspector Chakanza confirmed the incident and appealed for public assistance as police intensify investigations.
“Police are investigating an armed robbery case at a bar in the Harare Central Business District. The suspects parked near the bar’s entrance, entered the premises, covered the complainant’s face with a cloth, and took the cash safe,” he said.
Armed Robbers Raid Ligi Sports Bar in Harare CBD, Flee with Cash Safe
The armed robbers are believed to have had prior knowledge of the layout of the premises, and their calculated actions have led investigators to suspect the possibility of inside information playing a role. The total value of the stolen cash and property is still being assessed, and authorities have not yet disclosed the exact amount.
While no physical injuries were reported, the robbery has left the bar’s employees and surrounding businesses shaken. The security guard, though unharmed, was visibly distressed by the ordeal, which unfolded in a matter of minutes.
Business owners in the vicinity have expressed growing concern over the apparent rise in armed robberies targeting bars, retail outlets, and cash-heavy operations in the city. Several have since called for heightened police patrols and improved security presence in the CBD, particularly during late hours when such establishments are most vulnerable.
Police have launched a full investigation and are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the area in an effort to identify the suspects and trace their movements before and after the crime. Forensic teams have also visited the scene to collect evidence.
Inspector Chakanza urged members of the public with any information that could assist in the investigation to contact their nearest police station.
“We are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity around Ligi Sports Bar at the time of the incident, or who has any knowledge of the suspects or the getaway vehicle, to come forward,” he said.
The white AD Van used in the robbery had no registration plates, a tactic often used by criminals to evade identification. Police are also investigating whether the vehicle was stolen or linked to any other recent crimes in the area.
This latest incident adds to a growing list of armed robberies reported in Harare and other urban centres in recent months. Criminal gangs are increasingly targeting businesses that operate with large volumes of cash, often striking during early or late hours when security is reduced.
Security experts have advised business owners to enhance their surveillance systems, limit cash kept on-site overnight, and consider working with professional security services to protect their premises.
ZIFA officials, football fans, and members of the public who were nearby during the robbery have also been urged to report any unusual movements they may have noticed on the night of the crime.
As police continue to hunt for the suspects, the armed robbery at Ligi Sports Bar serves as a stark reminder of the escalating threat of armed crime in Zimbabwe’s cities. Authorities are under growing pressure to curb the trend and restore public confidence in the safety of commercial areas.
