A costly lapse in basic security has been exposed after a tobacco salesman lost US$19 530 in a daring daylight robbery in Rusape, with key details pointing to negligence.
The incident occurred at Vengere Musika last Wednesday when the 40-year-old Pacific Tobacco Company salesman, Kudzanai Pawananukwa, parked his Toyota GD6 vehicle and left it unattended while serving customers behind it. Critically, the vehicle was left unlocked, creating easy access.
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According to police, the situation worsened as a key was also left on the passenger seat, a decision that proved decisive. Five unknown suspects simply approached the vehicle, entered without resistance, and used the readily available key to open a safe inside. Within moments, they had taken US$19 530 in cash. Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka told Manica Post:
“The complainant… had parked his Toyota GD6 vehicle… while attending to customers behind the vehicle. Five unknown men approached the vehicle, which had been left unlocked, and gained entry. Once inside, they took a key that had been left on the passenger seat, used it to open a safe in the vehicle, and removed US$19 530 in cash.”
The suspects fled in a Toyota Runnex along the Harare–Mutare Road. Pawananukwa gave chase, but the suspects later abandoned the vehicle near the 176-kilometre peg and escaped on foot into nearby bushland. The vehicle has since been recovered and is now being held as evidence.
While police investigations are ongoing, the circumstances surrounding the case underline how avoidable security lapses can quickly translate into major financial loss, especially when large sums of money are left exposed in unsecured conditions.
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