ZB Bank US$2.7m Heist Suspect Arrested After Family Dispute

Alfred Shumba

A key suspect in Zimbabwe’s high-profile 2021 US$2.7 million ZB Bank cash-in-transit robbery has been arrested after allegedly being betrayed by his own brother, authorities confirmed in court on Monday. Alfred Shumba, who had reportedly been hiding in South Africa since the robbery, appeared before Harare magistrate Jessie Kufa following his arrest. His capture reportedly stemmed from a tip-off after a fallout with his brother over missing cash believed to be part of the stolen money.

According to prosecutors, Shumba left a portion of the loot in his brother’s custody when he fled Zimbabwe. However, a dispute arose when he later demanded the money back, prompting the brother to alert authorities. The robbery occurred on January 6, 2021, and remains one of Zimbabwe’s most significant cash-in-transit heists in recent years. A gang of armed robbers intercepted a security team transporting seven boxes of cash valued at US$2,775,000.

The money was reportedly destined for multiple ZB Bank branches across the country, including Chinhoyi, Kadoma, Kwekwe, Gweru, Bulawayo, Gwanda and Zvishavane. Court papers indicate that the gang had inside information. Fanuel Musakwa, a member of the cash-in-transit crew, allegedly provided updates on the movement of the money, enabling the robbers to track the vehicle from Harare. The suspects intercepted the cash convoy at the 60-kilometre peg along the route. Armed with firearms, they threatened the crew before transferring the cash boxes into a getaway vehicle, identified as a red Toyota Hilux driven by Gerald Rutizirira.

Following the robbery, the gang reportedly drove to a farm near Nyabira, where they broke open the boxes and shared the cash among themselves. Authorities have since arrested several suspects linked to the heist, with Shumba believed to be among the last key figures still at large until his recent capture. Cash-in-transit robberies have been a growing concern in Zimbabwe and across Southern Africa, with criminals often targeting security vehicles using insider information and high-powered weapons, according to regional crime reports. Shumba has been remanded in custody as investigations continue. He is expected to return to court on April 3 for the continuation of his trial.

ZB Bank heist Alfred Shumba arrest