A Bulawayo man who was working with prostitutes, among them his wife, to lure clients to secluded spots so that he could rob them, has been arrested.
The man has been identified by some ladies of the night only as Bra Mike (30), originally of Njube Suburb while his wife comes from Pumula South and is known only as MaSiwela (42).
Bra Mike and his wife were reportedly arrested on Monday.
Acting police spokesperson for Bulawayo Assistant Inspector Bekimpilo Ndlovu confirmed the arrest yesterday.
Police sources said Mike was expected to help police clear a number of armed robbery cases that occurred along Josiah Tongogara Avenue, between 11th and 12 Avenue.
“Bra Mike is assisting police with their investigations. Among the cases we expect to clear following his arrest is theft of a laptop from a vehicle that happened last month.
“Indications are that he had a gang of prostitutes that he was working with. Their job was to lure clients to isolated spots that included sanitary lanes. The women would alert him when they found a client who had money or anything worth stealing. Mike would lie in wait and would pounce on the men who would be vulnerable as they would be having sex with the prostitutes,” said the source.
The source said Mike would rob the clients at knife point and sometimes slap the women several times for effect.
“Investigations have revealed that he would instill so much fear into his victims that they would be relieved when he left with their cash, cell phones and other valuables, without harming them,” said the source.
Ladies of the night who spoke to Chronicle said Bra Mike was a “pimp” who was bad for their business as clients were now afraid to frequent Josiah Tongogara Street, where they operated from.
“He started operating here about three years ago. He started by offering protection services to those who had difficult clients who physical abused them or refused to pay for services. Soon he had a number of women who were paying him a fee for protection. Then he started this thing of robbing people with their help. We are happy he has been arrested. His wife, MaSiwela was also bad news. We are also happy she has been arrested,” said one of the women.
Asst Insp Ndlovu said police were yet to confirm if MaSiwela was married to Bra Mike.
“We have arrested a man suspected of working with ladies of the night to rob clients. We are also investigating allegations that one of the women he was working with could be his wife,” said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
Cases of people being robbed at secluded places in the city are becoming common.