News / National
Ex-cash-in-transit worker arrested after fight over US$150,000k loot
16 Mar 2026 at 20:33hrs |
369 Views
A former cash-in-transit employee accused of helping rob a bank vehicle of US$2.7 million in 2021 has appeared in court after his arrest was triggered by a fistfight with his elder brother over part of the stolen money.
Alfred Shumba (32) appeared before Harare regional magistrate Jessie Kufa facing armed robbery charges.
He was remanded in custody and advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
Investigations revealed that Shumba's arrest followed a fight with his brother, whom he had allegedly given US$150,000 for safekeeping before fleeing to South Africa.
According to the State, on January 6, 2021, Shumba and several accomplices — some of whom are already on remand — allegedly hatched a plan to rob a cash-in-transit crew transporting seven boxes of money belonging to ZB Bank.
The cash, amounting to US$2,775,000, was reportedly destined for several branches in different towns, including Chinhoyi, Kadoma, Kwekwe, Gweru, the Fife Street branch in Bulawayo, as well as Gwanda and Zvishavane.
The court heard that a member of the cash-in-transit crew, Fanuel Musakwa, allegedly communicated with the suspects and updated them on the crew's movements.
Using the information, the suspects reportedly followed the cash-in-transit vehicle from Harare towards Chinhoyi.
Along the way, the crew collected an additional box containing ZW$43,090 at the Inkomo Tollgate for deposit at the bank.
The court heard that Musakwa allegedly persuaded the driver to give a lift to three accomplices, claiming they were genuine travellers.
When the vehicle reached the 60km peg, the driver stopped to drop off some of the passengers. At that point, the suspects allegedly produced a pistol and threatened to shoot the crew members.
Four other accomplices reportedly arrived in a red Toyota twin cab armed with pistols and also threatened the crew.
The robbers allegedly disarmed the crew, taking a pistol and a rifle before forcing the vehicle off the highway to a secluded area.
They then offloaded the boxes of cash from the cash-in-transit vehicle and transferred them into their own vehicle, which was allegedly driven by Gerald Rutizirira.
The suspects then drove away from the scene, leaving the crew members behind.
According to prosecutors, the gang later went to farms west of Nyabira, where they broke open the cash boxes containing US$2,775,000 and ZW$43,090.
The money was allegedly shared among the suspects before the empty boxes were dumped.
Alfred Shumba (32) appeared before Harare regional magistrate Jessie Kufa facing armed robbery charges.
He was remanded in custody and advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
Investigations revealed that Shumba's arrest followed a fight with his brother, whom he had allegedly given US$150,000 for safekeeping before fleeing to South Africa.
According to the State, on January 6, 2021, Shumba and several accomplices — some of whom are already on remand — allegedly hatched a plan to rob a cash-in-transit crew transporting seven boxes of money belonging to ZB Bank.
The cash, amounting to US$2,775,000, was reportedly destined for several branches in different towns, including Chinhoyi, Kadoma, Kwekwe, Gweru, the Fife Street branch in Bulawayo, as well as Gwanda and Zvishavane.
The court heard that a member of the cash-in-transit crew, Fanuel Musakwa, allegedly communicated with the suspects and updated them on the crew's movements.
Using the information, the suspects reportedly followed the cash-in-transit vehicle from Harare towards Chinhoyi.
Along the way, the crew collected an additional box containing ZW$43,090 at the Inkomo Tollgate for deposit at the bank.
The court heard that Musakwa allegedly persuaded the driver to give a lift to three accomplices, claiming they were genuine travellers.
When the vehicle reached the 60km peg, the driver stopped to drop off some of the passengers. At that point, the suspects allegedly produced a pistol and threatened to shoot the crew members.
Four other accomplices reportedly arrived in a red Toyota twin cab armed with pistols and also threatened the crew.
The robbers allegedly disarmed the crew, taking a pistol and a rifle before forcing the vehicle off the highway to a secluded area.
They then offloaded the boxes of cash from the cash-in-transit vehicle and transferred them into their own vehicle, which was allegedly driven by Gerald Rutizirira.
The suspects then drove away from the scene, leaving the crew members behind.
According to prosecutors, the gang later went to farms west of Nyabira, where they broke open the cash boxes containing US$2,775,000 and ZW$43,090.
The money was allegedly shared among the suspects before the empty boxes were dumped.
Source - The Herald
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
