For the last one and half months, the nation has been eagerly waiting for a breakthrough regarding the world’s biggest cash heist in the last 10 years that took place in Bulawayo when 6 armed robbers raided a SafeGuard security cash-in-transit vehicle at Ecobank Parkade branch in Zimbabwe’s second largest city and fled with over US$4.4 million without any trace so far.
While nothing has materialised so far in that high-stakes robbery case, however, a 23-year-old man, Kelvin Chisandako, is behind bars following his arrest in connection with another daring cash-in-transit robbery that occurred on October 16th.
The heist took place just two weeks after the the much publicised Ecobank Bulawayo one and it saw US$20,000 vanish from a Fawcett Security van en route from Beitbridge to Mutare. Police are happy to announce a breakthrough in this case thanks to a tip-off from the public
It was only at Ngundu that the guards realised a locked cash box containing US$20,000 was missing. Immediately, they contacted the police to report the theft, initiating a formal investigation into the audacious crime. The subsequent investigation proved challenging, with the perpetrators initially evading capture.
However, a significant development occurred on November 3rd when police received a tip-off concerning Chisandako. Information suggested he had been seen with large amounts of cash and had recently engaged in a significant spending spree. This raised immediate suspicions, prompting a swift police response.
Chisandako’s arrest in Mwenezi marked a turning point in the case. The police, acting on the credible tip-off, apprehended him and subsequently launched a thorough investigation into his recent activities. The evidence gathered pointed strongly towards his involvement in the cash-in-transit robbery.
Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the police national spokesman, released a statement detailing the arrest and its aftermath. He stated: “The suspect revealed to the police that he stole the money from the cash-in-transit van which he boarded at Lutumba Business Centre. The arrest led to the recovery of US$600 as well as R3,320 cash, an empty cash box and a Toyota Aqua vehicle which he bought for US$9,800.”
The statement further highlighted the extent of Chisandako’s spending spree, financed by the stolen funds. Nyathi detailed the suspect’s purchases: “Investigations by the police established that the suspect used part of the money to buy 30 x 12-feet roofing sheets, 35 x 50kg bags of cement, seven window frames, two French doors, 15,000 bricks, a mobile phone and three men’s suits.”
The sheer volume of building materials suggests a significant construction project underway, financed by illicit means.
