Sinokubonga Nkala
Peter Matika, [email protected]
POLICE in Bulawayo are seeking public assistance to identify and apprehend a gang of 10 armed robbers who staged a daring heist at United Refineries in the Kelvin Industrial Area early last Friday morning.
The brazen burglary, carried out around 1.30 am on December 6, saw the thieves escape with over US$11 000, R20 000, and P80 in cash.
Bulawayo provincial acting police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, said the robbers were heavily armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols. The gang gained access to the premises by scaling the gate before overpowering security personnel on duty.
“The suspects, wearing balaclavas, immobilised the security guards by tying their hands behind their backs with shoelaces and ordered them to lie on the lawn,” said Asst Insp Msebele.
While two robbers stood guard over the six subdued security personnel, the rest of the gang broke into the administration offices.
Using precision tools, they breached the strong rooms and safes, stealing US$7 000 and R18 000.
After securing the cash, the robbers marched the guards back to the reception area before fleeing. To hinder investigations, the gang disabled the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) system on-site.
Asst Insp Msebele said businesses should avoid storing large sums of cash on their premises and urged them to deposit money into banks promptly.
“We also appeal to anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects to report to the nearest police station,” she said.
United Refineries confirmed the incident in a statement, expressing regret over the break-in.
“The company regrets to advise that on the morning of 6 December 2024 at around 1.30 am, armed intruders broke into the company’s administration offices. They bound and immobilised independent security personnel, breached CCTV equipment, and used precision cutting tools to access the company’s strong rooms and safes,” said United Refineries.
The total amount stolen from the refinery was reported as US$11 069, R20, 481, and P80.
Following the robbery, the company has collaborated with law enforcement and initiated investigations.
Despite the disruption caused by the incident, United Refineries assured stakeholders that efforts are underway to resume normal operations this week.
This robbery adds to the concerning trend of armed heists in Bulawayo, where criminal activity involving firearms has surged in recent months.
In October 2024 alone, the city recorded 13 armed robberies, a significant increase from just two cases reported during the same month the previous year.
In response, the ZRP has intensified its efforts to combat organised crime syndicates responsible for these alarming incidents.
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