News / Local
Mphoko's ex-partner robbed of $52,000
31 Mar 2015 at 00:50hrs | Views
DARING thieves broke into prominent businessman Raj Modi's Liquor Hub Wholesale Centre in Bulawayo's central business district and got away with more than $52,000 on Sunday night.
Modi told The Chronicle yesterday that the break-in at his shop that is located along 4TH Avenue/Fife Street was through the roof of the building, which has no CCTV cameras.
He said the break-in was discovered by one of his workers soon after the liquor centre was opened yesterday morning.
"We only discovered the break-in this morning (yesterday) when one of my workers walked into his office and found two metal safes wide open and all the money, which was kept inside wasn't there," said Modi.
"The thieves entered the building through the roof after damaging the ceiling and creating three holes to access the office. The thieves, who seemed to have had all the time in the world, used a grinder to cut through two safes built into a wall and stole $52, 820,92."
Liquor Hub was officially opened on February 14, this year after Modi had sold his shares in Choppies.
Yesterday business went on as usual at the wholesale centre with scores of people doing their shopping.
Modi said a report was made at Bulawayo Central Police Station and detectives attended the scene. He however, said no arrests had been made by late yesterday.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo could not be reached for comment.
The robbers who hit the liquor centre used the same modus operandi that was used during a string of robberies at Choppies Supermarkets which was once jointly run by Modi and Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko's family.
Choppies retail shops have become targets of armed robbers and thieves with its supermarket at Sekusile in Nkulumane having been hit twice by armed robbers in recent months.
Four months ago, thieves broke into Choppies Supermarket in New Lobengula suburb in Bulawayo and got away with about $15,000.
The thieves made an opening in the roof and used a grinder to cut through three safes built into a wall.
The break-in was discovered by security guards who were making routine checks before the opening of the shop.
Modi told The Chronicle yesterday that the break-in at his shop that is located along 4TH Avenue/Fife Street was through the roof of the building, which has no CCTV cameras.
He said the break-in was discovered by one of his workers soon after the liquor centre was opened yesterday morning.
"We only discovered the break-in this morning (yesterday) when one of my workers walked into his office and found two metal safes wide open and all the money, which was kept inside wasn't there," said Modi.
"The thieves entered the building through the roof after damaging the ceiling and creating three holes to access the office. The thieves, who seemed to have had all the time in the world, used a grinder to cut through two safes built into a wall and stole $52, 820,92."
Liquor Hub was officially opened on February 14, this year after Modi had sold his shares in Choppies.
Yesterday business went on as usual at the wholesale centre with scores of people doing their shopping.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo could not be reached for comment.
The robbers who hit the liquor centre used the same modus operandi that was used during a string of robberies at Choppies Supermarkets which was once jointly run by Modi and Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko's family.
Choppies retail shops have become targets of armed robbers and thieves with its supermarket at Sekusile in Nkulumane having been hit twice by armed robbers in recent months.
Four months ago, thieves broke into Choppies Supermarket in New Lobengula suburb in Bulawayo and got away with about $15,000.
The thieves made an opening in the roof and used a grinder to cut through three safes built into a wall.
The break-in was discovered by security guards who were making routine checks before the opening of the shop.
Source - chronicle
