Online Reporter
FOUR months ago, six armed robbers casually walked towards a Cash-In-Transit truck, outside a bank in Bulawayo Central Business District, and dragged trunks, 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.”
Thabani Dube, a vendor outside Parkade Centre in Bulawayo, saw it all unfold.
At first, Dube didn’t realise a robbery was unfolding.
He thought the security company was conducting a meticulously planned drill.
“The robbers arrived in a single cab white van and blocked the cash-in-transit security van.
“And with lightning speed, brandishing assault rifles, they advanced towards the back of the van at the entrance of the bank. It hadn’t registered in my mind that a robbery was taking place,” he told Sunday News.
“I could not move. I just sat there, and for a moment, I thought it was a drill. I then quickly realised a robbery was underway, and I froze. You always see people in movies witnessing robberies, but I don’t think films can truly capture the shock experienced in those situations.
“It’s something you cannot explain. The guys were big and strong, hardly recognisable with face masks and hats on. From my side, I saw them casually dragging and loading heavy steel safes.”
“One of them actually put down his rifle, and summoned all his strength to load the heavy safe onto the back of their truck. For another moment, it occurred in my mind that if shots were fired, people, including me, could actually die.”
