In a bizarre series of events, Bulawayo’s streets have turned into a real-life action movie, minus the blockbuster budget. Two shiny silver Toyota Fortuners vanished into thin air, leaving their owners shaken, not stirred. The first incident involved a 64-year-old woman from Malindela, who was minding her own business in Pumula South when a gun-wielding bandit appeared out of nowhere, demanding her car keys and threatening to turn her into a human pin cushion. She handed over the keys, and the thief made off with the Fortuner, some cash, pain tablets, and a bucket of paint worth more than the medication.

Just days later, a couple in Parklands had their evening stroll ruined when five masked bandits emerged from the shadows, armed to the teeth with a pistol and an okapi knife. The thieves snatched the couple’s silver Fortuner, groceries, and iPhones, leaving them stunned and clutching each other.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele urged motorists to install tracking devices and be vigilant, adding a dash of common sense: “When taking a break, do it in a well-lit area near shops and buildings. And if you suspect you’re being followed, drive straight to the nearest police station – it’s like a superhero’s secret hideout!” If you have any information about the thefts, don’t be a superhero; just call the police.

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