In a brazen and meticulously planned heist, armed robbers made off with a staggering US$111,411 and R1,281,320 after targeting a Fawcetts Security facility in Chipinge early Wednesday morning. The theft, which occurred just before 3 AM, has left both the local community and law enforcement agencies reeling.
According to police reports, the robbery involved at least five men. The assailants initially targeted two Fawcetts Security guards who were on rapid response duties and had parked their branded Isuzu KB250 in the town center. The robbers, wearing balaclavas and armed with pistols, approached the guards, ordering them to open the van’s doors. The guards were then forcefully moved to the back of the van, where they were bound with cable ties and placed into the cash compartment.
The robbers, now in control of the van, transported the guards to an undisclosed location. Here, additional members of the gang—estimated to be at least three—joined them, equipped with tools including grinders, hammers, torches, and iron bars. The robbers then compelled the Fawcetts guards to relinquish their jackets and caps, with two of the robbers donning the guards’ uniforms to blend in.
The gang proceeded to the Fawcetts depot located at 1530 Gaza O Light Industry, an area where local businesses store their money overnight before banking. Upon arrival, the robbers managed to deceive a guard into opening the main gate by posing as legitimate Fawcetts personnel. Once inside, the robbers overpowered the guard, tying him up with cable ties, and disarmed him of his Rossi Revolver. A second guard, who was conducting perimeter checks, was also disarmed of his short gun.
The robbers then vandalized the facility, damaging all exterior security lights, breaking a window to the manager’s office, and disconnecting the power supply to the alarm system. They also cut the output cable to the siren. In the control room, another guard monitoring the CCTV was quickly overpowered and disarmed.
Using a grinder, the robbers breached a Chubb door leading to the vault, which contained six cash boxes. They broke the padlock keys of the boxes and removed the cash, loading it into the Fawcetts vehicle.
After securing the money, the robbers bundled all the Fawcetts guards into the cash compartment of the van and drove to a bushy area at Mooilsplas Farm, 6 km north of Chipinge, where they abandoned the vehicle and the guards. One of the guards managed to free himself and call for assistance.
Police later recovered the Isuzu’s keys and Fawcetts uniforms discarded 54 km from Chipinge on the road to Birchenough. The three firearms taken from the guards were found abandoned inside the yard of the Fawcetts establishment. Despite these recoveries, the total stolen cash amounted to a substantial US$111,411 and R1,281,320.
Authorities are actively investigating the incident and searching for the suspects involved in this high-profile robbery. The scale and execution of the heist have raised serious concerns about security measures and the capability of local law enforcement to prevent such crimes.
In other news – JP, Feli Nandi, Mokoomba, and Gemma to headline Tuku festival
The inaugural Oliver Mtukudzi International Festival of the Arts (OMIFA) is set to take place on September 21 and 22 at the Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton, promising a vibrant celebration of music, art, and culture in honor of the late Zimbabwean musical icon Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi. The festival will bring together a rich blend of Afro-fusion and soul artists, showcasing some of the most prominent names in contemporary African music.
Leading the star-studded lineup will be renowned musician Jah Prayzah, alongside Afro-fusion and soul performers such as Feli Nandi, Mokoomba, and Gemma Griffiths. Read More
