Fawcett Security lost thousands of dollars to seven armed robbers who pounced its Chipinge Fawcett Depot last week.
The armed robbers pounced on a Fawcett Security control room and disappeared with thousands of US dollars, South African Rands and Zimbabwean dollars.
Chipinge District Criminal Investigation Department spokesperson Detective Assistant Inspector Vincent Chikuvadze confirmed the incident:
_We have launched a manhunt of seven suspects who robbed Fawcett Security Company and walked away with cash. I appeal to the members of the public to come forward with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects._
Sources said the robbers pounced on Fawcett Checheche depot on June 2 around 7 pm after the Fawcett team had returned from collecting daily takings from Gains wholesale and Mukuru money transfer booth at Checheche growth point. TellZim was told:
_The team collected USD$6583, R32 110, ZW$11 937 and an undisclosed amount of cash from Mukuru money transfer and took the cash to their Checheche depot and secured it in the safe._
The arrival of the robbers coincided with the return of Fawcett security officer, Last Matewe, who was handing over N Richards keys to other officers who were in the control room for safekeeping.
Armed with a loaded shotgun, the robbers approached other security guards, identified as Nhamo Muhlule and Serverino Tanyaara and disarmed them.
Another guard, Desmond Macheza who was inside the control room observed that Nhamo Muhlule was being manhandled by one of the robbers advancing to the office and he tried to call other workmates and police.
The robbers immediately broke the screen door lock using a crowbar to gain entry, ordered them to lie down and force-marched one to the Chubb safes and gun cabinet.
They loaded the money in sacks and satchels, cut CCTV cables, took two revolvers with 10 rounds each and two shotguns, tied all the five security guards and took their cellphones and alarm remote control before getting away.
More: Pindula News; TellZim