Duduzile Nyathi
A foiled armed robbery attempt at the BancABC Bank in Kamativi on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, has led to the arrest of six suspects, including a serving member of the Zimbabwe National Army.
The incident occurred on a payday, when the bank was expected to be crowded with customers. According to police reports, a team of detectives had been monitoring the situation for several days after receiving intelligence about a planned robbery.
When the suspects attempted to carry out their plan, a shootout ensued, resulting in the arrest of four individuals. One of the suspects, Proud Gumbo, was identified as a serving member of the Zimbabwe National Army. A service pistol was recovered from him, and he was implicated in several other armed robberies in the region.
The remaining two suspects, who managed to escape, are still being sought by authorities. In a police report seen by Matebeleland Pulse, a detective stated, “We had been monitoring the situation for several days and were prepared to act when the time was right.” Another officer added, “The suspects were armed and dangerous, but our team managed to contain the situation and apprehend them.”
The foiled robbery attempt has sparked concerns about the safety of banks and financial institutions in Zimbabwe. While the authorities have been successful in apprehending several suspects, the ongoing investigation highlights the need for increased security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
