Movie-Style Robbers Hit Mukuru Bulawayo, Steal Over US$78 000
By Crime and Courts Reporter-Armed robbers staged a movie-style heist at a Mukuru outlet in Bulawayo on Wednesday morning, making off with more than US$78 000 and R501 000 after forcing an employee to open a safe.
The robbery occurred shortly after 7am along Jason Moyo Street between 8th and 9th Avenue in the city centre.
According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the suspects ambushed a female employee as she arrived for work at around 7:08am.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the employee was approached while parking her vehicle outside the premises.
“The suspects forcibly escorted her into the offices and ordered her to open the strong room and a Chubb safe,” Nyathi said.
Fearing for her safety, the employee complied, giving the robbers access to the safe. The gang then stole US$78 141 and R501 820 in cash.
Police said the suspects also removed the Digital Video Recorder (DVR), which stores surveillance footage, and disabled the panic button before fleeing through the back door.
No arrests had been made by late Wednesday and investigations were continuing.
The robbery has raised renewed concern about daylight armed raids targeting financial service outlets in Bulawayo, which have become attractive targets for organised criminal gangs handling large volumes of cash.
Two years ago, heavily armed robbers carried out a dramatic Ecobank robbery in Bulawayo, escaping with more than US$4 million after attacking a security vehicle outside the bank. The gang used explosives and assault rifles in what was widely described as one of Zimbabwe’s biggest cash heists.
Security experts say such incidents highlight the vulnerability of cash-handling businesses and financial institutions, particularly during early-morning cash deliveries or collections.
Meanwhile, police have appealed to members of the public with information that may assist in the investigation to contact the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp 0712 800 197, or report to any nearest police station.
Related
#MovieStyle #Robbers #Hit #Mukuru #Bulawayo #Steal #US78 #ZimEye
