Online Reporter
Peter Matika
THREE suspected armed robbers allegedly pulled off a casual money heist in Bulawayo on Wednesday afternoon, after they meticulously concealed their identities by dressing up as part of the workers at the mine and got away with more than US$500 000.
The three not only pulled off the heist by “playing dress up”, but also used the cover of a lunchtime break to commit the crime.
They seized a total of US$543 076 in just under 30 minutes from Old Nic Mine.
The robbers reportedly manhandled and disarmed a Safeguard security officer manning the administration area after gaining entry into the premises through a bushy area.
According to the mining company’s security officer, Mr Kyle Bennet, the suspects entered the premises from the compound, where they cut an opening in the security fence.
“They then made their way to the accounts office, before they attacked and disarmed a security guard, whom they tied up,” he said. “One of the suspects then remained behind, keeping watch over the security guard. They held the accounts lady by duress. They forced her to surrender cash, and they fled.”
Mr Bennet said the incident occurred at around 12:30pm, but was not sure of the exact amount the robbers got away with. He said the cash had just been dropped off by a cash-in-transit crew.
Mr Bennet said he suspected the crime must be an inside job, as it was methodically coordinated.
“There are suspicions of an inside job, from how the crime was committed. We have our suspicions, but I really cannot talk much about this.
“What I believe is that they have been watching our operations and they had ‘intel’ on proceedings,” he said.
Mr Bennet said he suspected the robbers used a car they parked along the road to flee.
“Their vehicle must have been parked along the main road. These suspects must have been surveying the company for a while now, and of course, there is an element of inside communication,” he said.
Mr Bennet said police reacted swiftly to the scene, with detectives from CID homicide, canine unit and uniformed police arriving at the scene promptly.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident, saying the robbers got away with US$520 150.
“On 25 June 2025 at around 1PM, the three accused persons approached the first complainant who was at the parking bay outside Old Nic Mine offices, doing patrols,” he said.
“One of the accused persons pointed a firearm at him and disarmed him of a CZ pistol with 15 rounds. The other accused person manhandled him and tied his hands and legs with cable ties and forced him under a white Honda fit within the parking area,” said Comm Nyathi.
He said the suspects proceeded to a second complainant’s office where they drew their guns and demanded cash.
“One of the accused persons went straight to the desk safe where he took US$20 000 and keys with a panic button. The suspects then demanded keys to the safe,” said Comm Nyathi.
“One of the suspects opened the safe and took cash amounting to US$500 000. The other suspect took a Redmi 13 C cellphone from the third complainant and fled,” he said.
Comm Nyathi said a report was made by the first complainant at 5PM contrary to the company’s security officer’s remarks.
