Bunjiwe Mkwananzi
Danisa Masuku Court Reporter
Ruling on application for discharge in US$300k, R2.4m Nedbank heist on Monday
THE armed robbery case in which thieves allegedly broke into a Nedbank branch in Bulawayo and stole about US$300 000 and R2,4 million and five gold coins, has been further remanded to Monday.
The trial is being heard before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate, Mr Mathew Shingi Mutiro.
The accused, Bhekani Mlilo, through his lawyer, Tawanda Tavengwa of Mvundla Tavengwa Solicitors, had made an application for discharge at the close of the State case.
Mr Tavengwa told the court that there was no sufficient evidence from the State witnesses, hence sought to have the charges against his client dismissed. The magistrate postponed the ruling to today. Mlilo is facing charges of unlawful entry and theft in aggravating circumstances.
Prosecuting, Mr Owen Mugari told the court that Mlilo was allegedly in the company of Lovemore Gambiza, who has already been convicted and sentenced for his role in the break-in.
“On August 26, 2023 at about 1pm, the bank manager and other employees closed the premises after business hours, leaving the cash reserves and other valuables secured inside the vault,” the court heard.
The court heard that at around 1am the following day, Mlilo and Gambiza allegedly approached the eastern side of the bank building.
“The duo scaled a precast wall at the back of the premises after cutting through the security razor wire. They then cut and removed a metal burglar bar protecting a back office window before gaining entry into the bank,” said Mugari.
Once inside, the pair allegedly forced open the server room before using a high-temperature gas-cutting torch to cut through the bank’s Chubb vault.
The State alleges that they stole US$282 000 and more than R2,4 million, as well as five gold coins before loading the loot into bags.
Mr Mugari said the suspects also removed and stole the bank’s Network Video Recorder (NVR) in an attempt to destroy Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) evidence before fleeing the scene.
The break-in was discovered later that morning when bank employees reported for duty and found the premises ransacked.
Police investigations led detectives to recover discarded tissue paper and cigarette butts allegedly left behind inside the bank during the break-in. The exhibits were submitted for forensic DNA analysis.
The court also heard that investigators intercepted a Toyota Venture allegedly used during the break-in. A search of the vehicle reportedly led to the recovery of Nedbank cash bags and plastic cash seals concealed beneath the seats.
