Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube
TWO motorists lost a combined US$24 920 after thieves allegedly targeted their vehicles in separate incidents at Hillside Shopping Centre and Bulawayo’s Central Business District.
Bulawayo deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Thandekile Ndlovu confirmed the incidents that occurred on August 26 and 27.
The first incident occurred on August 26 at around 1.14PM at Hillside Shopping Centre.
A 61-year-old Hillside man, who is a depot manager at a local petroleum company parked his vehicle at the shopping centre before entering a shop.
He left the vehicle unlocked while his 50-year-old wife remained seated in the front.
“While inside the shop, an unknown accused person opened the right back door and stole a black bag containing cash amounting to US$14 320 and ran away,” said Asst Insp Ndlovu. The suspect allegedly got into a Toyota Mark X, which sped off in an easterly direction.
A police report was made and nothing was recovered.
The second incident occurred the following day at around 12.03pm.
A 35-year-old manager employed by a chemicals company in Belmont was sent by his employer to purchase chemicals and other inputs required for the daily running of the business. The man was carrying US$10 000 in a satchel when he drove into the city centre and parked his vehicle along Samuel Parirenyatwa Street between 13th and 14th Avenue.
He left the satchel containing the money on the passenger seat and did not lock the vehicle before entering one of the shops to check for the required chemicals and inputs.
The man returned from the shop and saw an unknown man taking the satchel.
“The satchel contained company money amounting to US$10 000, his Samsung Z Fold 7, national identity card, driver’s licence and company office keys,” said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
The suspect allegedly ran away, got into a blue Honda Fit and drove off at high speed towards 15th Avenue.
A police report was made and nothing was recovered.
The total value stolen in the second incident was US$10 600.
Asst Insp Ndlovu warned members of the business community against moving around with large amounts of cash when safer alternatives are available. “The business community is warned to desist from moving around with large sums of cash when there are safer alternatives. People are encouraged to bank their monies and embrace secure cashless transactions such as the use of plastic money and electronic payments,” said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
She appealed to anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects to come forward and report at any nearest police station.
