Bulawayo Man Nabbed After Pellet Gun Mistaken for Real Firearm
BULAWAYO – A 28-year-old man from Old Magwegwe, Bulawayo, was arrested at a nightclub on Sunday night after security personnel mistook his pellet gun for a real firearm, prompting police intervention.
The suspect, Tafadzwa Mugova, was caught during a routine security search at the club entrance.
Nightclub personnel alerted police after discovering what appeared to be a pistol-sized metal weapon with a magazine and a single pellet ball.
Officers arrived at the scene and confirmed that the item was a toy gun, not a live firearm.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele stated: “Police received a report that a man had been found in possession of a gun whilst trying to enter a nightclub in Old Magwegwe and officers attended the scene.
“The suspect was apprehended by nightclub security during routine searches at the entrance.”
Upon interrogation, Mugova told police that he had purchased the pellet gun at the Harare Agricultural Show last year.
He explained that he had come to the nightclub to locate his brother, who had left with their house keys, when security intercepted him at the entrance.
Mugova was taken into custody, with investigations ongoing to determine whether carrying the pellet gun in a public setting violated any local regulations.
Authorities have cautioned the public against carrying objects resembling firearms, emphasizing the security risks such incidents can cause.
According to Zimeye, the nightclub’s management has since reinforced security measures, ensuring stricter searches at entry points to prevent similar incidents.
