Bulawayo, Zimbabwe – The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has moved swiftly to quell false reports circulating on social media regarding the recovery of part of the US$4.4 million stolen during the October Ecobank heist. The reports, spread through viral audio messages, claimed that a significant sum of money had been discovered in a house in Unit F, Seke, Chitungwiza.
In a statement released by ZRP Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the police categorically dismissed these claims as false and misleading. Nyathi stated, “The ZRP dismisses viral social media posts on alleged discovery of part of US$4 million Bulawayo bank robbery heist at a certain house in Unit F, Seke, Chitungwiza. The allegations are false and should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve. The ZRP warns the public, especially criminal elements against abuse of social media platforms to engage in criminal activities as revealed by this incident.”
The police investigation revealed that the Chitungwiza incident stemmed from a separate crime. Locals, reacting to the social media posts, forcibly entered the home of a Harare businessman while he was absent, stealing US$13,500.
Nyathi explained, “Police have established that after the viral social media post, the public forced entry into the local businessman’s house, damaged property and some took away US$13 500. The businessman runs a hardware in Harare Central Business District and was away at the time of the incident. The public did not find part of the US$4 million heist as alleged on the social media platforms. The public is urged to be cautious and avoid being reactionary to false social media messages.” Investigations into the theft of the US$13,500 are currently underway.
The Ecobank heist, described by many as “the mother of all crimes,” involved seven men who disarmed security guards and escaped with US$4,442,000 in broad daylight. The brazen robbery, captured on camera and lasting just 109 seconds, captivated the nation and sparked widespread public interest. The incident, considered the largest bank robbery in Zimbabwean history, continues to be a major focus for law enforcement, including Interpol.
The year 2024, however, was not without other significant criminal incidents in Bulawayo. January saw a robbery on Heyman Road in the suburbs, resulting in the theft of US$4,000. February witnessed a deadly shootout between police and three armed robbers in Gwanda, resulting in the robbers’ deaths.
Two cattle rustling suspects were also apprehended near Bulawayo while transporting 19 head of cattle. These three armed robbers were linked to previous crimes including two robbery cases involving US$81,800 and R25,000 and a shootout with police in Cowdray Park the previous year that left two officers injured.
Cattle rustling proved to be a persistent problem throughout the year, exacerbated by the El Niño-induced drought. In February, Jabulani Nkomo, son of the late Vice-President John Landa Nkomo, lost 42 cattle to former farm workers involved in a rustling syndicate. Edmore Bibi and Farai Phambukani were arrested with 19 stolen cattle in February, and in August, Bhekilizwe Nyathi was arrested with five carcasses of stolen cattle worth US$2,250. October saw the arrest of nine men accused of stealing and skinning 28 cattle from a single farmer in the Fort Rixon area.
Cowdray Park, Bulawayo’s most populous suburb, also experienced a surge in crime, particularly muggings. Councillor Ntando Ndlovu highlighted the alarming increase in night-time muggings, attributing the problem to a lack of street lighting. While the installation of tower lights would improve safety, the significant cost (US$10,000 per month per suburb) poses a challenge for the city council’s strained budget.
Car hijackings also increased in 2024. One high-profile case involved Brighton Chipunza, a well-known socialite, who is facing two counts of vehicle theft. He is accused of stealing a car from a city car wash and another belonging to businessman Gift Banda. Chipunza remains in custody awaiting trial. The events of 2024 serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges facing law enforcement in Zimbabwe and the need for continued vigilance and community cooperation to combat crime.
