By Ziyah News Reporter
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have named six suspects in the recent Ecobank heist, including a man reported dead in 2023. The robbery, which occurred last week, saw armed criminals make off with over US$4.4 million, marking it as one of the largest bank heists in Zimbabwe’s history.
The ZRP has enlisted the help of Interpol and South African authorities to track down suspects believed to be local criminals currently residing in South Africa. Crack teams have been deployed to Bulawayo and surrounding areas to intensify the search for the perpetrators.
Among the suspects listed is Israel Zulu, who was reportedly shot dead by police in 2023 during a separate incident involving armed robbery, birthing a mystery the police are yet to explain.
In a statement issued on October 18, 2023, the Police said Israel Zulu and David Dausi Takawira, who had robbed Inter-fresh Limited of US$362 000 cash in 2019 before committing a spate of robberies in Harare and Bulawayo were shot and killed by the police in a bushy area near Southlea Park yesterday.
The other suspects named in the Ecobank robbery include Elijah VumbunuDavid Sawadye, Kudakwashe Mudzingwa , Takafa Vumbunu, Paul Chinake, and Brian Murape.
Authorities believe that the robbery may have been an inside job, suggesting possible collusion between the robbers and someone within the bank.
As the investigation unfolds, the ZRP is urging anyone with information about the suspects or the robbery to come forward.