Nedbank heist trial kicks off

THE trial of two men allegedly linked to a US$271 000 and R2,2 million heist at a Nedbank branch in Bulawayo’s Belmont industrial area last year commenced last week Thursday. State witnesses were subpoenaed to provide their testimonies.

Lovemore Gambiza and Elias Madimba, who have been in remand prison since their arrest in September last year, pleaded not guilty to unlawful entry and theft charges before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza. They were further remanded in custody until April 17 for the continuation of the trial.

In their defence, through their lawyers, Mr Tinashe Tashaya of Sengweni Legal Practice and Mr Tawanda Tavengwa of Mutuso, Taruvinga & Mhiribidi Legal Practitioners, Gambiza and Madimba claimed they were out of town when the robbery occurred. However, the State contends that it has evidence linking the pair to the heist. Gambiza’s lawyer, Mr Tashaya, informed the court that his client was at his gold mine during the alleged commission of the crime.

“My client left his home in Emganwini and proceeded to his mine where he slept,” he said.

Upon arresting Gambiza, police discovered money stashed at his house. However, his lawyer disputed the allegation, arguing that it was money realised from his mining business.

“As a person in the industry and like most Zimbabweans he keeps his money in the house,” said Mr Tashaya.

The money allegedly stolen from the bank was sealed in Nedbank seals. Gambiza argued that his savings were also sealed in those seals, as he banks with the financial institution.

“There is no video footage linking my client to the alleged crime and he also challenges the State to produce samples of DNA evidence that it claims links my client to the crime. He intends to take the samples to an independent body that will verify the allegations, as permitted by the State,” said Mr Tashaya.

Mr Tavengwa stated that Madimba was assaulted by police officers and forced to sign a statement admitting the offence.

“My client was at his rural home and the police assaulted his children. He lives in Cowdray Park and was at his rural home in Binga at the time of the alleged crime. He was also forced to sign a statement which he did not author,” he said.

“He suffered head injuries as a result of the assault and medical reports can be produced as exhibits.”

According to prosecutor Ms Concillia Ncube, on August 26, Gambiza and Madimba allegedly broke into the Nedbank building by bypassing the bank’s security systems. Once inside, they destroyed three safes and stole US$271 500 and R2,2 million. The break-in was only discovered by bank employees when they reported for duty three days later. The court heard that the two men also tampered with the bank’s communication system to gain access to the premises. On the day in question, a security guard was on duty manning the premises when the suspects stole the money.

“When the bank employees discovered that there was a break-in, they checked around the premises and discovered that the security razor wire mounted on the precast wall had been cut,” said Ms Ncube.

“They also discovered that the screen door leading to the bank had also been tampered with and some windows were open indicating that there was a burglary.”

Gambiza and Madimba allegedly climbed a precast wall to access the banking hall.

The bank is manned by a security guard and there are also CCTVs and alarm systems.