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Crime Reporter
Officials from ABC Auctions in Harare are still consolidating the exact amount of cash and property that was stolen during a robbery incident at their premises.
Four robbers who were armed with pistols attacked two security guards at the premises before stealing an undisclosed amount of cash and property.
Earlier police had said the robbers got away with cash and property worth US$1,4 million but sources close to the investigation said they were still waiting for the correct figures stolen.
Since Sunday the officials at the auction were still in the process of compiling the figures which will be availed to the investigating officers soon.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said investigations were still in progress and believed that this was an inside job.
“The ZRP is still investigating the circumstances which led to a robbery case at ABC Auctions along Seke Road, Harare, on October 8, 2022 at around 1.30am where four unknown suspects, armed with four unidentified pistols, attacked two security guards who were on duty at the premises.
“They tied the security guards with shoe-laces and put them under the guard of two suspects while the other two proceeded to the company offices, where they blasted five safes and stole cash and property worth US$1 400 000,” he was quoted saying.
However, several employees at the auction have since been picked up for questioning in connection with the case. The suspects are still at large.
When The Herald visited ABC Auctions yesterday, the managing director Mr Buron Wiley and other top executives were in a meeting with police detectives who were carrying out investigations.
Mr Wiley’s personal assistant directed The Herald team to send questions via e-mail but efforts to get a comment from the company were fruitless by the time of going to print.
The incident comes amid an increase in robbery cases in which criminals are targeting companies and people with large amounts of cash.
Last week 10 of the 13 armed robbers believed to be a group of robbers that were involved in a shoot-out with security guards before stealing nearly 12kg from a cash in transit vehicle in Bulawayo fled to South Africa.
They were part of a 13 men gang that intercepted How Mine security guards last Tuesday morning and also got away with four firearms. The incident occurred near the 22km peg along the Bulawayo-How Mine Road at around 7.30am.
Police have since launched a manhunt for the other 10 suspects who are still at large.
Sources close to the investigations said they believe the gold was smuggled to South Africa where it was sold. The police have since roped Interpol to assist with investigations.
On Wednesday, Asst Comm Nyathi said confirmed the arrest of Antony Moyo (39), Wilson Mutandwa (24) and Ernest Mutandwa (30) in connection with the armed robbery during which 11,6kg of gold on transit from How Mine to Fidelity Printers, Bulawayo and four firearms were stolen.
On the same day police received information that some of the stolen items were abandoned at a house under construction along Folly Road, West Summerton, Bulawayo.
Detectives reacted to the report and recovered car keys, 3 x 9mmm spent cartridges, a black glove, a 303 rifle loaded with eight live rounds and three empty metal boxes.
Further investigations by the police established that the South African registered Nissan NP 300 single cab vehicle, registration number HR30XJGP, which was abandoned by the suspects at the scene, belongs to Ximba Nkosilathi, also known as Tonderai Vumbunu and was at times seen being driven by Antony Moyo.
Police arrested Antony Moyo who implicated Wilson Mutandwa and Earnest Mutandwa, who were subsequently arrested. Earnest Mutandwa was arrested in Beitbridge while attempting to flee to South Africa.
The suspects’ accomplices who include Abraham Vumbunu, Elijah Vumbunu, Israel Zulu, Diva (no further particulars known) and six other unknown suspects are on the run.
Asst Comm Nyathi said,” armed robbery syndicates, including company employees and associates leaking information to criminals are warned that their days are numbered.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspects should contact National Complaints Desk on (242) 703631 or WhatsApp on 0712 800197 or Bulawayo Operations on (242) 7488 36 or report at any nearest police station.
Online Reporter