Armed robbers struck a cash-in-transit vehicle belonging to Safeguard Security in Bulawayo on Thursday afternoon, stealing US$4 million in cash.
The incident took place while the Safeguard security van was on routine duty at the Parkade Centre branch of Ecobank.
Social media footage shows the robbers using a white Ford Ranger, registered as AGP 2333. Witnesses captured part of the heist, which revealed six masked suspects loading what appeared to be cash boxes into their getaway vehicle at the intersection of 9th Avenue and Fife Street.
An eyewitness recounted to the Chronicle that the robbers suddenly appeared, fired a shot into the air, and ordered the security guards to lie down. The witness described the scene:
“As the Safeguard workers were attempting to retrieve safes from the bank, a Ford Ranger pickup truck appeared with six masked men. They fired a shot into the sky, causing the Safeguard workers to drop to the ground. The robbers then dragged the safes into their vehicle and sped off along George Silundika Street, armed with pistols.”
An employee at Ecobank mentioned that the money was being transported to Harare by Safeguard security. The employee added, “The robbers seized the money directly from the security guards as they were about to load it into their vehicle.”
Armed robberies involving significant cash amounts are not rare in Zimbabwe, often fueled by insiders leaking information about the cash movements and storage practices of security companies.
Police have voiced concerns about this trend, noting that insider involvement often leads to more successful heists and larger sums being stolen.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi has urged companies to enhance their security protocols and minimize the amount of cash stored on-site.
Insider-related robberies have been reported across various sectors in Zimbabwe, including businesses, schools, and cash-in-transit vehicles. Investigations by the police have frequently resulted in the arrest of employees or individuals closely linked to the targeted companies.
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