Harare — THREE Greendale families lost property worth thousands of dollars to a gang of five armed men travelling in a twin-cab truck early yesterday.

The gang also targeted commuters hoping to get early morning buses to Mbare Musika and robbed them of groceries, cash and other valuables.

During the raid on a Greendale house, the gang tied a guard to a braai stand before he was rescued by the house owner who fired three warning shots that scared the gang away.

The gang, believed to be operating in two groups, had to scurry for cover after a resident only identified as Mr William heard a loud noise and fired some shots.

Other members of the gang who wanted to break into a nearby house abandoned their mission and sped off in their getaway car.

Rhodesville Police immediately rushed to investigate on hearing the gunshots.

The other victim of the robbery declined to talk to The Herald yesterday.

In another case, Mr Mangeza Njobo, who was on his way to Mbare Musika along with two colleagues, was robbed at 3:40am at a bus stop near Rhodesville Police Station reportedly by the same gang.

The men, masquerading as policemen, approached the three and demanded to know what they were doing at that time of the night. They shoved them into the truck on the pretext that they were taking them to Rhodesville Police Station for interrogation.

The truck sped off along Robert Mugabe Road.

They stopped after entering Greendale at the intersection of Coronation Avenue and Metcalf Road.

The gang robbed the three men of groceries, cash, three cellphones, school uniforms, books and clothes meant for Christmas with an estimated value of US$2 000.

They also struck Mr Njobo with a pistol on the head, causing minor injuries.

"I am really stranded. I do not even know where to start from because all the joy associated with Christmas has been taken away from my family," said Mr Njobo, whose destination was Nyanga.

Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Oliver Mandipaka confirmed the robberies, warning travellers not to venture out during the small hours of the morning as they risked being robbed.

"They should also demand identification particulars from those masquerading as police officers," he said.

He warned the public to be vigilant and make sure that their premises were properly secured.

"They should also inform the local police station about their absence so that their homes are put under surveillance.

"Police are on high alert to ensure that the festive season is crime-free," he added.

Chief Superintendent Mandipaka said travellers should avoid undesignated pick-up points such as Fourth Street (Amtec) for Mutare passengers, Harare Showgrounds and Mbudzi for Bulawayo and Masvingo respectively.

"These areas are now notorious as several travellers have lost their valuables while hitch-hiking," he said.