US$4 million Ecobank Heist Was an Inside Job, Police Reveal

Police Confirms US$4 Million Ecobank heist was an Inside Job

Investigators probing the Ecobank heist in Bulawayo have revealed that the US$4.45 million robbery may have involved collusion between the robbers and bank staff, raising serious concerns about internal security at financial institutions.

Police Confirm Inside Job

National police spokesman Commissioner Paul Nyathi, speaking at a press briefing in Bulawayo, said evidence points to employees leaking operational information to the robbers.

“It is clear. We now know they were working with inside people,” Nyathi stated.

He urged companies, particularly financial institutions, to thoroughly vet employees to prevent insider-related theft.

“Sometimes people stage robberies. Companies must not take things for granted. We must stop allowing employees to work with outsiders and steal from the company’s investment.”

Also Read: WATCH: Armed Robbers Strike EcoBank Branch In Bold Daylight Heist, Get Away With $4 Million

Multi-Branch Robbery and Arrests

The gang allegedly targeted two Ecobank branches: the city centre branch on 9th Avenue and Fife Street, and the Bradfield branch.

From the city centre branch, robbers seized cash boxes containing US$3,983,500 along with three firearms taken from Safeguard security guards. An additional US$465,500 was stolen from Bradfield, bringing the total haul to US$4,449,000.

Authorities have already secured the extradition of 39-year-old Bhekani Mlilo from Botswana. Mlilo appeared in a Bulawayo court last week and was remanded in custody to December 5. Legal processes are underway to bring Abraham and Elijah Temayi Vumbunu, alleged masterminds arrested in South Africa in July, back to Zimbabwe.

Persons of Interest

Police have identified Simon Xola Ngcobo, Menzeli Mpofu, and a man known only as Khalid Ntimen as persons of interest. A Safeguard supervisor arrested in connection with the robbery has since been released without charge.

Call for Stronger Security Measures

The revelation that the heist may have involved insider assistance has heightened calls for financial institutions to strengthen internal security and safeguard against employee collusion.