Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the robbery of a Bulawayo businessman who lost R158 160 and US$9 339, while four others remain at large, police have confirmed.
Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, the acting police spokesperson, said the incident occurred on January 14, 2024.
The businessman, who works for a betting house, was transporting the money to Harare when he was ambushed.
โAt around 10:57 AM, the complainant collected US$9 339 and R158 160 from a betting house in Bulawayo. Driving a Honda Fit, he parked along R. Mugabe Way in Parkview to package the cash into a plastic bag,โ said Msebele.
While parked, a dark grey Mazda Axela with Botswana registration plates blocked his vehicle. โOne suspect exited the Mazda, approached the complainantโs car holding a brick in one hand and a pistol in the other. The suspect struck the driverโs door with the brick, demanded the cash, and fled with the satchel containing the money,โ Msebele explained.
Following a tipoff, police arrested 42-year-old Nomzamo Nkiwane of Nkulumane 5 on January 20, 2025. During interrogation, Nkiwane implicated her neighbor, Alfred Taurai (43), as the source of the information about the businessmanโs routine.
โTaurai, a former security guard at the betting house, admitted to informing Nkiwane about the cash movements. Nkiwane then shared the information with her cousin, Kelvin Tshuma (40), and another accomplice, Vusumuzi Ndlovu (49), who carried out the robbery,โ said Msebele.
Police recovered R2,000 from Nkiwane, who admitted to receiving R10,000 as her share and using some of the money to purchase groceries from South Africa. Taurai was arrested at his workplace, where police recovered R1,600 and US$40 from him.
Tshuma was later arrested, leading police to Esigodini, where they apprehended Ndlovu. From Ndlovu, police recovered R19,120 and US$68, along with a silver-grey Toyota Aqua used in the crime.
The total amount recovered so far is R22,920 and US$50.
Police Appeal and Warning
Assistant Inspector Msebele urged the public to avoid traveling with large sums of money in private vehicles, instead recommending the use of reputable cash-in-transit services.
โWe also advise businesses to vet employees thoroughly and avoid disclosing sensitive routine information to prevent such incidents,โ she said.
Meanwhile, the police appealed to anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the accused persons Bekithemba Mthimkulu, of Lobengula West, Robert Moyo aka Fana, of Old Luveve, Delvin White aka Bhoza, of Selbourne Park and Mdlalosi, all males, to report at any nearest police station or contact Bulawayo CID Homicide on (02922) 77523 or 71568.
