Antony Chawagarira
TRIANGLE – Armed robbers allegedly raided ZB Bank’s Triangle branch in the early hours of Tuesday, making off with an undisclosed amount of cash after shooting a security guard who had responded to the alarm.
The guard, who was on duty for Fawcett Security, was shot in the chest during the incident but survived because the bullet was stopped by his bulletproof vest.
In a dramatic incident, the robbers allegedly tied up the security guards protecting the bank and nearby business premises before taking the Fawcett guard’s firearm. The gang later fled the scene and abandoned their getaway vehicle at Ngundu.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said he had not yet received a report about the robbery when contacted.
The amount of money stolen and the exact number of suspects involved were not immediately known, and details regarding how the robbers gained entry into the bank were still being investigated.
The Triangle robbery comes amid a series of attacks targeting banks and cash-handling facilities in various parts of the country.
Last month, armed robbers raided ZB Bank’s Mpandawana branch in Gutu, where they reportedly gained entry through the roof and blew up an ATM before escaping with an undisclosed amount of cash.
In Murehwa, five armed robbers attacked a security guard at a CBZ ATM on September 9 before using explosives to blow up the machine. Police said the robbers escaped with US$30,000 and ZiG15,000.
Another ATM belonging to CABS was reportedly blown up at Govans Shopping Centre in Norton on September 1, although the amount stolen was not disclosed.
Police investigations into the Triangle robbery were continuing.
