Gunmen steal over US$78 000 in dawn raid at Mukuru branch

POLICE have released fresh details on how Wednesday morning’s armed robbery at a Mukuru branch in Bulawayo unfolded, outlining the sequence of events that led to the theft of more than US$78 000 and R501 000.

The robbery, which occurred along Jason Moyo Street between 8th and 9th Avenue shortly after 7am, had initially been reported without clarity on how the suspects carried out the operation.

In a statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said preliminary investigations indicate that an unknown number of suspects targeted a female employee as she arrived for work at around 7.08am.

National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said the suspects confronted the employee as she was parking her vehicle at the premises.

“The suspects forcibly escorted her into the offices and ordered her to open the strong room and a Chubb safe,” he said.

Under threat, the employee complied, giving the robbers access to the safe containing US$78 141 and R501 820.

Commissioner Nyathi said the suspects went on to remove a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), which stores security footage, as well as a panic button before escaping through the back door.

No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.

The ZRP has appealed to anyone with information to contact the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631, WhatsApp 0712 800 197, or report to any nearest police station.