How armed robbers raided Mukuru

Armed robbers targeted a Mukuru employee in Bulawayo's central business district yesterday morning, forcing her into the company's offices and making off with more than US$119,000 in cash.

The robbery occurred shortly after 7am along Jason Moyo Street between 8th and 9th Avenue.

According to police, the suspects approached a female employee at around 7.08am as she was parking her vehicle outside the premises where she works.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the robbers confronted the employee and forced her into the building.

"The suspects forcibly escorted her into the offices and ordered her to open the strong room and a Chubb safe," said Commissioner Nyathi.

Fearing for her safety, the employee complied with the robbers' demands and opened the safe, giving them access to large amounts of cash stored inside.

The suspects took US$78,141 and R501,820 from the safe, with the total value of the stolen money estimated at about US$119,220.

After loading the cash into bags, the robbers also removed a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), which stores surveillance footage, along with a panic button before fleeing through the back door.

Police said investigations into the robbery are ongoing and no arrests had been made by last night.

Authorities have appealed to members of the public with information that may assist in the investigation to contact the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp 0712 800 197, or report to any nearest police station.