A lone suspected armed robber who pounced on the ZB Bank branch in Victoria Falls on Wednesday afternoon entered the banking hall a few minutes before closing time.
The suspect was wearing a hat and mask and allegedly waited for other clients to leave before pointing a gun at staff.
He pretended to be seeking to apply for a loan from the bank.
The acting spokesperson for the ZRP in Matabeleland North Province, Assistant Inspector Christopher Mahohoma confirmed the armed robbery. He said:
On 30 November 2022 at 1630 hours, a report of armed robbery was received at ZRP Victoria Falls to the effect that an unknown male adult who was armed with a pistol robbed ZB Bank, Victoria Falls branch of US$12 000.
Police said the suspect was dressed in a black and white T-shirt, grey trousers, a black hat, and a black mask.
He entered the banking hall disguised as a genuine customer and approached Caroline Dube, a bank teller, and enquired about the requirements for one to apply for a loan. Said Asst Insp Mahohoma:
The accused person who was the last customer in the bank moved towards the exit door around 15:55 hours and Mr Lasho Ndlovu, a security guard from Peace Security Company was following behind him so that he could close the door after his exit since the bank was closing for the day.
Suddenly, the accused person turned back and pointed a firearm at Mr Ndlovu before ordering everyone to remain still.
The suspect allegedly ordered two bank tellers Scholastic Mazinyani and Siphiweyinkosi Mpofu to surrender all the cash in their tills.
The two surrendered the cash and the accused person packed it in a satchel.
He then demanded keys to the back exit door from the branch supervisor Tinashe Shayamano.
The suspect then walked out of the bank through the exit door and walked westwards and started to run.
Police attended the scene after a report was made. | The Herald