Armed robbers Saturday pounced on Fidelity Building located at 11th Avenue and Fife Street in Bulawayo’s Central Business District (CBD) and reportedly sneaked out with US$6 270 as well as ZAR5 000 from one of the offices in the 12-storey building.
Reports suggest that the robbers escaped before police arrived and cordoned off the area.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident saying the suspected robbers pounced on a Women Empowerment Trust housed in the building that also acts as a money transfer agent.
He said they also harassed customers who were queuing to get their money who they allegedly locked into a room. Nyathi told The Sunday News:
The ZRP is investigating an armed robbery incident which occurred at a Women Empowerment Trust at 6th Floor, Fidelity Building, Bulawayo where two armed robbers pounced and got away with US$6 270 as well as R5 000. The company is also involved in money transfer. They also harassed customers who wanted to collect and deposit their money.
He said police reacted swiftly to information and cordoned off the building with initial reports indicating that the robbers were still inside the building.
Asst Comm Nyathi said on entering the building, the police realised that the robbers had already sneaked out when they got to the scene.
Sources said police then looked at the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage in the building, and observed the two suspected robbers in the act.
The suspects reportedly fled in a white Honda Fit vehicle, and by the time security personnel in the building alerted the police, the suspects had escaped.
The robbery comes barely days after armed robbers pounced on a CBZ bank outlet situated along the same street. Police said they were on the hunt for the suspects.