HARARE – Armed robbers got away with US$2.5 million dollars in a cash-in-transit robbery near the Gwebi River Bridge in the biggest cash heist in Zimbabwe’s history, police said on Thursday.
The Gwebi River Bridge is on the highway linking Harare and Chinhoyi in Mashonaland West Province.
Police said three men were driving in a Toyota Hilux single cab to Chinhoyi for what is described as a “cash-in-transit task” when they were robbed by four of their six passengers they gave a lift to during stops at Westgate and Inkomo turn-off.
The Hilux, according to police, was carrying seven cash boxes at the back.
Police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “On approaching Gwebi River Bridge lay-bye, the driver stopped the vehicle as one of the passengers wanted to relieve himself.
“It was then that one of the passengers produced an identified pistol and fired one shot in the air whilst his accomplices disarmed one of the complainants of his 303 rifle.
“The assailants then tied the three complainants and drove into the bush where they loaded the cash boxes into a red Toyota vehicle, whose make and registration is unknown. They then drove off.
“Anyone with information on the four suspects is asked to contact any nearest police station.”
The robbers also allegedly got away with Z$40,000 (about US$400).
In November, a Fawcett truck was targeted while delivering cash to the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe (CBZ) in Bulawayo.
Police said Z$2,1 million, US$3,362 and R7,390 was stolen in the robbery.
In 2013, another Fawcett van delivering US$400,000 to Eastern Highlands Plantations in Manicaland was robbed after four armed men rammed into it with a big truck.
