Arron Nyamayaro
SIX armed robbers casually walked towards a Cash-In-Transit truck, outside a bank in Bulawayo Central Business District yesterday, and dragged trucks, loaded with cash, to a waiting truck parked on a nearby street.
By the end of the heist, which resembled a movie rather than the actual act, given the composure with which the armed robbers carried out the robbery, about US$4 million had been stolen.
The Cash-In-Transit truck was parked outside an Ecobank branch close to the offices of our sister newspapers, Chronicle and Sunday News.
It appeared the robbers had sent Bulawayo into lockdown and they had been given the freedom of the city to take as much cash as they wanted without having to worry about any possible consequences.
CCTV images from the robbery scene paint a picture of robbers who were not in any hurry and appeared to have everything under control.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said:
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms that investigations are in full swing in connection with an alleged armed robbery case which occured late this afternoon on 3 October 2024 at a financial institution at corner 9th Avenue and Fife Street, Bulawayo, when a cash-in-transit security team was approached by six suspects.
“Initial indications are that US$4 000 000 cash has been stolen.
“The manner in which this incident occurred showed an element of inside job or leakage of information.
“As investigations intensify, the police assures the public that the law will certainly take its course without fear or favour.
“As investigations intensify, the police assures the public that the law will certainly take course without fear or favour.
“Meanwhile, members of the public with information on the incident are free to contact National Complaints Desk number (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp number 0712800197 or report to any nearest police station.”