Nedbank robbery suspect accused of stealing US$272 000, R2,4 million appears in court

Danisa Masuku, Court Writer

A 48-year-old Bulawayo man allegedly implicated in a major Nedbank robbery involving US$272 000 and R2,4 million has appeared in court after handing himself over to detectives.

Dingilizwe Mloyi, of Cowdray Park suburb, appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube facing a charge of armed robbery.

Mloyi, who is represented by Mr Tawanda Tavengwa of Mvundla–Tavengwa Solicitors, was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to 28 January 2026 for the commencement of trial.

Prosecuting, Ms Mufaro Ndirayire told the court that Mloyi allegedly acted in connivance with Lovemore Gambiza (45) to steal cash from Nedbank Belmont Branch. Gambiza was previously convicted and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment, with three years suspended on condition of good behaviour for five years.

Ms Ndirayire said the two accused scaled a precast wall, cut razor wire and removed burglar bars at the back office to gain entry into the bank.

“Once inside, they accessed the server room and used a gas-cutting torch to open a Chubb vault, from which they stole US$272 000 cash, R2 420 000, five one-ounce gold coins valued at US$10 056, and a network video recorder worth US$109,” she said.

The offence was discovered on the morning of 28 August 2023 when bank employees reported for duty and noticed the break-in. Police attended the scene and recovered cigarette stubs and used tissue paper, which were sent for DNA analysis.

Investigations led to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of some of the stolen cash. Police recovered US$12 500 and R57 500 bearing Nedbank seals from Gambiza, which had been buried in bushland about 20 kilometres along the Bulawayo–Plumtree Road.

Further recoveries included US$1 000 and R16 880 hidden under a tyre in a disused thatched house in Binga, as well as US$3 000 recovered at a house in Cowdray Park.

Police also recovered the vehicles allegedly used during the commission of the offence — a Toyota Hiace (registration ADU 3231) and a Toyota Venture (registration ABP 8593) — as well as a gas-cutting torch believed to have been used to open the vault.

In total, US$282 165 and R2 420 000 were stolen, with only US$16 500 and R74 630 having been recovered so far.
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