Story by Lisa Masuku-Kurira
REGIONAL police cooperation has intensified following confirmation by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) that the US$4 million Ecobank robbery in Bulawayo was an inside job, with extradition processes now underway to bring two key suspects back from South Africa.
The heist, widely regarded as one of the most significant robberies recorded in recent years, occurred in October last year when a gang of armed men stormed a security company vehicle at an Ecobank branch, escaping with metal cash boxes in a white Ford Ranger. CCTV footage captured the group speeding away, prompting a multi-country pursuit.
National police spokesman Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the two alleged masterminds, the Vumbunu brothers, were arrested in South Africa and that formal processes to return them to Zimbabwe are now underway.
“So far we have Bhekani Mlilo, who was extradited from Botswana. He was extradited on November 19 and has since been remanded in custody. We are now working flat out to bring the notorious Vumbunu brothers,” Commissioner Nyathi said.
The latest development follows the successful extradition of Mlilo who has since been remanded in custody.
Commissioner Nyathi also revealed investigations have established the robbery was facilitated from within.
“We now know with certainty that it was an inside job. The robbers were working with a security guard from the company. Most of these high-profile robberies have an element of an inside job,” Commissioner Nyathi added.
The latest developments has brought a sense of relief to the Bulawayo community, which was left stunned by the scale and precision of the heist. During the robbery, the armed suspects overpowered guards, seized cash boxes and fled almost instantly, raising concerns at the time about possible internal complicity.
