Authorities in Zimbabwe are ramping up their search for a group of six armed robbers involved in a bold bank heist in Bulawayo, from which they stole over US$4 million.
The suspects, believed to be local residents with connections to South Africa, have been tied to several high-profile robberies across the country, making this theft one of the largest in Zimbabwe’s criminal history.
In response to the incident, specialized investigative teams have been dispatched to Bulawayo and surrounding areas to gather intelligence and follow leads regarding the gang’s operations.
This notorious group has a track record of executing major heists, including a significant robbery in October 2022, where they took nearly 12 kilograms of gold worth around US$675,000 from a cash-in-transit vehicle.
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In the months leading up to the recent bank heist, they reportedly targeted financial institutions, money transfer services, and wholesalers, stealing over US$858,000 and R508,000 in a series of raids in Bulawayo.
The suspects have been identified as Elijah Vumbunu (alias Mupositori), David Sawadye, Israel Zulu, Kudakwashe Mudzingwa (alias Umbro), Takafa Vumbunu (alias Naison Mahembe), Paul Chinake, and Brian Murape. Many of them are known to flee to South Africa after committing their crimes, with Vumbunu reportedly running a trucking business in a wealthy suburb there.
As law enforcement agencies work together with Interpol, officials remain hopeful that their combined efforts will lead to the arrest of these criminals and the recovery of the stolen funds.
