Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
POLICE in Bulawayo have launched intensive investigations into a daring robbery at the Cold Storage Company (CSC) in Bulawayo in which more than US$80 000 was stolen after suspects allegedly disabled the security system and broke into company safes.
The brazen raid, which is believed to have occurred under the cover of darkness, has sent shockwaves through the city’s business community, with investigators suspecting that the robbers may have received inside assistance.
Sources close to the investigations said the gang appeared to have detailed knowledge of the premises and security arrangements.
“The CCTV cameras were cut before the robbery, making it difficult to immediately identify the suspects.
“Several office safes were forced open and cash amounting to about US$80 000 was taken,” said a source.
The source added that the manner in which the operation was executed strongly suggested prior knowledge of the building’s layout, alarm systems and the location of the cash.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the robbery saying investigations were pointing to the possibility of an inside job. “We’re investigating a case of robbery in which approximately US$80 000 was stolen from the Cold Storage Commission premises in Bulawayo. Preliminary investigations indicate that this could be an inside job, although investigations are still in progress,” said Comm Nyathi.
He said detectives were pursuing several leads and appealed to members of the public with information that could assist in the investigation to come forward.
Police are expected to interview employees and security personnel as part of the investigations while forensic experts continue examining the crime scene for evidence that could lead to the arrest of the suspects.
The incident is one of the biggest reported commercial robberies in Bulawayo in recent months and is likely to raise fresh concerns over security at institutions handling large sums of cash.
No arrests had been made by the time of going to print, and investigations were continuing.
