The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) remains without significant leads in the US$4 million armed robbery that shook Bulawayo last week, as investigations struggle to gain traction.
A week after the audacious daylight heist, the authorities are appealing for public cooperation while urging caution against spreading unverified information that could hinder the process.
During a media briefing at Ross Camp, Officer Commanding Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Commissioner Dr. Wkilef Makamache, acknowledged the complexity of the case but assured the public that it is under “special consideration,” with all national security arms involved in the investigation.
“This case is being treated with the highest priority. All branches of the security services are fully engaged, working in close collaboration through our Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters,” Makamache stated. “Once we have results, we will bring the ‘cake’ to you for consumption.”
Commissioner Makamache added that further updates would come from National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, stressing that premature reports could jeopardise the investigation.
While the police maintain that multiple teams have been on the ground since the robbery occurred, they are calling for public patience and the avoidance of false rumours.
“Some people are already claiming the robbers were shot or that only US$20,000 has been recovered. These reports are not true,” Makamache warned. “We must focus on disseminating accurate information.”
The heist, which took place at the corner of Fife Street and 9th Avenue, saw six armed men ambush a Safeguard cash-in-transit van shortly after it collected over US$4 million from an Ecobank branch in the NRZ building.
Wearing face masks and armed with AK-47 rifles, the robbers swiftly subdued the guards and loaded metal boxes filled with cash into a white Ford Ranger, before fleeing the scene.
Notably, the recently launched Smart City Surveillance System—rolled out in Bulawayo’s Central Business District (CBD) just days before the robbery—did not cover Fife Street, leaving investigators without crucial CCTV footage.
The system, part of a collaborative effort between the police, the Bulawayo Business Against Crime Forum of Zimbabwe, and local churches, aims to reduce crime in the city, but the lack of coverage on Fife Street has complicated the case.
Bulawayo Police Provincial Spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed that no CCTV cameras were installed on the street where the heist occurred, adding that the installation process is still ongoing.
“As of the day of the robbery, Fife Street was not yet equipped with our cameras,” he said.
While some bystanders managed to record the robbery on their phones, the footage has yet to yield any breakthroughs.
Inspector Ncube appealed to the public for information, reassuring potential informants that their identities would be protected.
“We urge anyone with knowledge about this crime to come forward. Your safety will be guaranteed,” he said.
