Online Reporter
ARMED robbers targeted a Mukuru employee, as she parked her car in Bulawayo’s CBD yesterday, and marched her into the shop where they stole about US$119,220.
The robbers stormed off with US$78,000 and R501,000 in cash.
Yesterday, police released details of how the morning armed robbery was executed.
The robbery occurred along Jason Moyo Street between 8th and 9th Avenue shortly after 7am.
Police said preliminary investigations showed that the suspects targeted a female employee when she arrived for work at around 7.08 am.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the employee was approached while 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 suspects access to the safe, from which they took cash amounting to US$78 141 and R501 820.
The robbers swiftly loaded cash from the safe into bags.
Commissioner Nyathi said the suspects also removed a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), which stores surveillance footage, and a panic button before escaping through the back door.
No arrests had been made by last night.
The police are now appealing to anyone with information that may assist in the investigation to contact the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp 0712 800 197, or report to any nearest police station.
The security set up is absolutely lax. The location of the CCTV recorder must not be exposed or known by ordinary people including employees of the premises. The theft exposed glaring security shortcomings by Mukuru or and the building where it is housed. In the security industry, it is always recommended that there should be multiple cameras located in inaccessible locations. These robbers aren’t smart. It is security systems that are ineffective. By now most businesses should have taken decisions to upgrade their systems. Insurance companies must insist on certain levels of security for premises and operations they underwrite.