Police have launched an operation to curb a surge in armed robberies targeting schools and churches in Harare West, particularly in the suburbs of Marlborough, Mabelreign and Westgate.

The move comes after a fatal robbery at Hallingbury Primary School, where a security guard lost his life sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning. Authorities believe the same group of suspects may also be linked to another incident at Marlborough High School, located 6km away.

In the Hallingbury case, three armed attackers reportedly confronted security guard Kona Mandlenkosi, who was on duty at the time. The assailants, allegedly carrying crowbars, are said to have brutally assaulted him, striking him with bricks and inflicting a serious head wound above his left ear.

Mandlenkosi, aged 27, was rushed to a nearby private emergency medical facility but later died from his injuries.

A second guard at the school managed to flee into a bushy section of the premises after witnessing the attack. He sustained minor injuries to his right hand and left shoulder while escaping.

On the same day, four armed suspects reportedly targeted Marlborough High School. Although they failed to access a safe on the premises, they overpowered two security guards, restraining them with wires. The robbers then searched them and took mobile phones along with US$28 in cash before fleeing.

These incidents have heightened concern among residents in Westgate, Mabelreign, Marlborough, Haig Park and nearby communities, as fear grows over the rising number of violent robberies in the area.