By Advent Shoko
Police have issued a stark warning to businesses and individuals across Zimbabwe: sharing cash movement details on WhatsApp or social media could put lives and livelihoods at risk. The caution comes after a daring robbery at a Macheke service station, where USD12 002, a Toyota Aqua (Reg No. AFP 4750), and four cell phones were stolen.
According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), preliminary investigations revealed that one of the service station managers had posted updates about collected cash from outlets in Murambinda, Nyazura, and Macheke while transporting the money to Harare for banking. The vehicle was later recovered abandoned at the 74-kilometre peg along Harare-Mutare Road, Marondera. ZRP Spokesman Commissioner Paul Nyathi said:
“This incident highlights the risks of publicising cash movements. Companies and individuals are strongly advised against posting such sensitive information on WhatsApp groups or other social media platforms.”
The robbery has also sparked a broader debate over Zimbabwe’s banking infrastructure. Murambinda, located in Buhera, Manicaland province, and many other rural areas, have limited access to banks. Locals expressed frustration, pointing out the lack of nearby financial institutions as a key driver behind risky cash transport. One resident commented:
“Kureva kuti mungarambe zvenyu kuti munyika hamuna budiriro. Mari kubva kwaMurambinda kuti indo depositiwa kuHarare what a shame. Zvigananda is it not better mari dzenyu idzodzo muvakewo mabhengi anoti ZVIGANANDA Bank”
This loosely means:
[“Deny it, but this shows it clearly, there’s little development in the country. Cash has to be ferried all the way from Murambinda to Harare for deposit, what a shame! Corrupt leaders, wouldn’t it make more sense to use your ill-gotten wealth to build banks, like a ‘Zvigananda Bank,’ across the country?”]
Indeed, with banks sparsely located around the country, businesses often have little choice but to transport cash over long distances, creating opportunities for criminals. Police urge companies to explore safer alternatives, such as electronic transfers, cash-in-transit services, or scheduled deposits, to reduce exposure to such dangerous heists.
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The ZRP reiterated that sharing detailed cash movement information is not only unsafe but also criminally negligent, and those responsible could be held liable should incidents occur.
While the incident highlights the dangers of sharing sensitive financial information publicly, it also underscores a deeper problem: many citizens in remote areas remain unbanked due to a lack of nearby financial institutions. Residents in towns like Murambinda face long, often unsafe journeys just to deposit or withdraw money, creating vulnerabilities that criminals can exploit. Locals argue that expanding banking infrastructure to these underserved regions is critical for both security and development.
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