The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) enlisted the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol)’s assistance to track down six armed robbers who stole over US$4.4 million from an Ecobank branch in Bulawayo recently.
The suspects are believed to be local criminals residing in South Africa.
Interpol is an inter-governmental organisation that facilitates cooperation between police forces from 196 member countries, whose primary goal is to help police around the world work together to combat international crime and make the world a safer place.
According to <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/interpol-roped-in-to-probe-us4m-heist/">The Herald</a>, special investigation teams have been sent to Bulawayo and surrounding areas to probe the robbery, probably the largest in Zimbabwe’s history.
The gang is allegedly connected to multiple robberies across the country, including a cash-in-transit heist involving nearly 12 kg of gold worth US$675,000 in October 2022.
They are suspected of robbing banks, money transfer agents, wholesalers, and grocery stores between May and October 2023.
In Bulawayo alone, the gang reportedly stole over US$858,000 and R508,000 in five separate raids within four months.
The suspects include Elijah Vumbunu (alias Mupositori), David Sawadye, Israel Zulu, Kudakwashe Mudzingwa (alias Umbro), Takafa Vumbunu (alias Naison Mahembe), Paul Chinake, and Brian Murape.
It is alleged that the gang typically flees to South Africa after committing their crimes.
Elijah Vumbunu reportedly runs a trucking business and resides in affluent suburbs in South Africa.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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The police in Zimbabwe are working with Interpol to catch a group of robbers who stole a lot of money from a bank. The robbers live in South Africa and are connected to other crimes in Zimbabwe. They have stolen from banks, stores, and even took gold. The police are looking for six suspects, including Elijah Vumbunu and David Sawadye. The robbers usually run to South Africa after stealing. The police are working hard to catch them and make sure they don't do more crimes.

ZRP Enlists INTERPOL To Hunt Down US$4.4 Million Ecobank Heist Suspects

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) insists that the seven armed robbers who seized US$4 million from an Ecobank branch in Bulawayo last Thursday had inside information.
ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/us4m-ecobank-heist-police-question-insiders/">The Herald</a> on Monday that police teams have been dispatched to Bulawayo to assist in the investigation. He said:
<blockquote>
We stand by our position. Someone leaked information about the movement of money, and we are questioning all possible suspects.
The investigations are ongoing and we have dispatched teams to Bulawayo, we want to assure the nation that we will get to the bottom of this, we are leaving no stone unturned.
I would like to also dismiss false social media reports that have been circulating about the case. We will advise the nation on the issue whenever necessary.
</blockquote>
The robbery occurred shortly after 3 PM at the intersection of Queen Lozikeyi Street (formerly Fife Street) and Simon Muzenda Avenue (formerly 9th Avenue) in Bulawayo’s city centre.
A white Ford Ranger pulled up near the bank, and a gang of seven suspects—most wearing face masks and bucket hats—emerged armed with pistols and a rifle.
The robbery occurred next to two Safeguard security vehicles, where guards were in the process of loading cash boxes into one of the vehicles.
In a rapid and coordinated attack, the robbers quickly overpowered the guards, seized the cash boxes, and loaded them into their pickup—all within two minutes—before fleeing the scene with the stolen money.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A bank in Zimbabwe got robbed of US$4 million. The police say the robbers had help from someone inside the bank. The robbers knew when and where the money was going to be. The police are investigating and questioning suspects. The robbery happened in broad daylight in Bulawayo. Seven masked people with guns stole the money in just two minutes. The police are working hard to solve the case and catch the robbers. False information about the robbery on social media is being dismissed.

US$4 Million Ecobank Heist: ZRP Says Robbers Had Inside Information

Police have refuted social media claims that the suspects involved in the robbery of a Safeguard Cash-in-Transit team at an Ecobank branch in Bulawayo on Thursday have been apprehended.
This follows social media reports that the suspects were shot and killed along Plumtree Road hours after the robbery.
In a statement released at 4:25 PM on Friday, Police said the suspects have not yet been arrested, adding that the public and media will be updated on the latest developments regarding the case. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
The ZRP is still conducting investigations in connection with the armed robbery incident which occurred in Bulawayo on 03/10/24 at a local financial institution.
The Police dismisses social media messages indicating that the suspects have been arrested.
The Police will certainly keep the public and media informed on the latest developments in relation to this case.
</blockquote>
On Thursday, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said that six suspects were involved in the heist, during which approximately US$4 million was stolen.
He also said the robbery might have involved an inside job or a leak of information.
However, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, the acting spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Bulawayo Province, <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/robber-bought-chewing-gum-before-executing-us44m-heist/">was quoted as saying</a> the suspects were seven in number.
She also provided brief descriptions of the Ecobank robbery suspects. Said Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele:
<blockquote>
The accused persons are seven unknown male adults, six of whom were wearing balaclava masks and one was not wearing any mask. One of the accused persons is approximately 1, 65m in height, light in complexion.
</blockquote>
The stolen cash was allegedly being transported from the Ecobank branch, located on the ground floor of the NRZ Building, Bulawayo’s tallest structure.
Witnesses described how the robbers waited for the Safeguard security guards to load the money into their truck before appearing on the driver and passenger side windows with guns drawn.
The security guards were then disarmed and forced into the back of their truck, as the robbers seized cash boxes loaded with cash.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The police say that the people who robbed a bank in Bulawayo have not been caught yet. They also said that they will tell the public when they find out more information. The robbery happened on Thursday, and about US$4 million was stolen. The police think that someone who worked at the bank might have helped with the robbery. The robbers waited for the security guards to load money in a truck before they took out guns and stole the money. The security guards were forced into the truck, and the robbers took the cash.

No Arrests Made In Ecobank Robbery - ZRP

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has said the armed robbery at the Ecobank Parkade Branch in Bulawayo on Thursday afternoon might have involved an inside job or a leak of information.
In a press statement yesterday, ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that six suspects were involved in the heist, during which approximately US$4 million was stolen. He said:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms that investigations are in full swing in connection with an alleged armed robbery case which occurred late this afternoon on 03rd October 2024 at a financial institution at corner 9th Avenue and Fife Street, Bulawayo when a cash in transit security team was approached by six suspects.
Initial indications are that USD 4 000 000.00 cash has been stolen. The manner in which this incident occurred show an element of inside job or leakage of information.
As investigations intensify the Police assures the public that the law will certainly take course without fear or favour.
Meanwhile, members of the public with information on the incident are free to contact National Complaints Desk number, (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp number, 0712 800 197 or report at any nearest Police Station.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/over-us4-million-stolen-in-zimbabwes-biggest-cash-heist/">ZimLive</a> reported a law enforcement source as saying Elijah Vumbunu, one of Zimbabwe’s seven most wanted criminals from a notorious crime family, has emerged as a prime suspect in the armed robbery.
Vumbunu is wanted for a string of high-profile armed robberies, including the October 2022 heist where a How Mine convoy carrying 11.9kg of gold was ambushed near Bulawayo.
Although several suspects were arrested, Elijah and his brothers Abraham and Tonderai Vumbunu escaped and are believed to be living in South Africa, where they plan and execute robberies in Zimbabwe.
According to ZimLive, investigations have revealed that the getaway car, a white Ford Ranger single cab with the number plate AGP2333, was actually registered to a Mazda Demio. 
Crime scene footage shows a uniformed police officer walking past the scene across the street in the direction of the Bulawayo Central Police Station. 
In Zimbabwe, police officers do not carry guns except when responding to robberies and violent scenes.
A man who claimed to be a bank manager was quoted as saying the stolen amount was closer to US$5 million, and that a client was banking US$100,000 at the time of the robbery.
The stolen cash was allegedly being transported from the Ecobank branch, located on the ground floor of the NRZ Building, Bulawayo’s tallest structure.
Witnesses described how the robbers waited for the Safeguard security guards to load the money into their truck before appearing on the driver and passenger side windows with guns drawn.
The security guards were then disarmed and forced into the back of their truck, as the robbers seized cash boxes loaded with cash.
The Ecobank/Safeguard heist is considered one of the largest cash heists in Zimbabwe’s history, surpassing the 2021 Gwebi River Bridge cash-in-transit robbery, where US$2.7 million was stolen. 
In the Gwebi River Bridge cash-in-transit robbery, a bank employee was later arrested and jailed along with his accomplices after police discovered that he had masterminded the robbery.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The police in Zimbabwe think the robbery at Ecobank might have been helped by someone who works there. Six people stole $4 million from a security van. A known criminal is suspected to be involved. The stolen money was being moved from the bank to a truck when the robbers attacked. This is one of the biggest robberies in Zimbabwe's history. The police are investigating and want the public to help with any information they have.

ZRP Suspects Inside Job In Ecobank Robbery

Brazen armed robbers targeted a cash-in-transit vehicle belonging to Safeguard Security in Bulawayo on Thursday afternoon, making off with US$4 million in cash.
The Safeguard security van was conducting routine duties at the Parkade Centre branch of Ecobank when the robbery occurred.
Videos circulating on social media show that the robbers used a white Ford Ranger with the registration number AGP 2333.
Members of the public captured part of the heist, showing six masked suspects loading what appeared to be cash boxes into their getaway vehicle at the corner of 9th Avenue and Fife Street.
An eyewitness told the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/licence-plate-of-getaway-vehicle-in-bulawayo-4million-heist-captured-on-camera/">Chronicle</a> that the suspects suddenly appeared, fired a single shot in the air, and ordered the security guards to lie down. Said the eyewitness:
<blockquote>
As the safeguard workers were trying to get safes From the bank a Ford Ranger open truck appeared with six men wearing face masks.
All of a sudden they shot into the sky once and the safeguard workers all lay on the ground.
The robbers dragged the safes into their vehicle and sped off along George Silundika Street. They had pistols.
</blockquote>
An Ecobank worker said that the money was being taken to Harare by Safeguard security. Added the employee:
<blockquote>
The robbers took the money from the security guards’ hands outside the bank when they were about to load it into the car.
</blockquote>
Armed robberies involving large sums of cash are not uncommon in Zimbabwe, with some of the robberies a result of insiders sharing information about the movements and storage of cash by security companies.
Police have expressed concern over this trend, as robberies involving insiders are often more successful and can result in larger sums of money being stolen. 
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi has urged companies to improve their security measures and avoid keeping large amounts of cash on their premises.
Robberies involving insiders have occurred across various sectors in Zimbabwe, including businesses, schools, and cash-in-transit vehicles.
Police investigations have often led to the arrest of employees or individuals closely associated with the targeted companies.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A big robbery happened in Bulawayo. Some robbers took US$4 million from a Safeguard Security vehicle. They had guns and masks. The robbery was caught on video. The robbers suddenly appeared and scared everyone. This kind of robbery happens a lot in Zimbabwe. Sometimes, the robbers have help from people who work at the companies. The police are worried about this and want companies to be more careful. They have caught some robbers with the help of investigations. It's important to stay safe and not keep too much cash in one place.

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