ZRP warns firms after Macheke cash-in-transit robbery

ZRP has warned businesses after a Macheke cash-in-transit robbery involving USD 12,002, urging firms to stop sharing cash-movement details online and strengthen security protocols (image source)

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has issued a stern warning to companies and individuals after a robbery at a Macheke service station in which USD 12,002, a Toyota Aqua (reg. AFP 4750) and four cell phones were stolen. Preliminary investigations indicate the theft followed the online sharing of cash-movement details by a service-station manager who posted information about collections from Murambinda, Nyazura and Macheke while travelling to Harare for banking. The vehicle was later recovered abandoned near the 74-kilometre peg on the Harare–Mutare Road.

Police emphasised that posting operational cash-movement details on unsecured WhatsApp groups or social media exposes businesses to targeted criminality. The ZRP urged commercial operators to adopt stricter internal controls, including limiting digital circulation of cash schedules, using professional cash-in-transit services, and enforcing dual sign-offs for cash handling. Authorities warned that negligence in operational security can have serious consequences for staff and customers.

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Security experts say the intelligence value of routine social posts is often underestimated: criminals monitor patterns and exploit predictable routes and timings. Practical measures recommended by law-enforcement and security consultants include staggered deposits, encrypted communications for essential coordination, visible security escorts, and CCTV coverage of collection points. Businesses are also advised to train staff on the risks of sharing sensitive information and to maintain a documented chain of custody for cash.

The incident highlights broader vulnerabilities in retail and fuel-retail sectors, where cash remains a high-value target. Observers note that while digital payments reduce cash exposure, many rural and peri-urban outlets still rely on cash collections, making robust operational security essential. The ZRP’s public advisory aims to reduce repeat incidents by raising awareness and prompting immediate changes to cash-handling protocols.

Businesses seeking to reduce risk should conduct rapid security audits, engage licensed cash-in-transit providers, and restrict operational details to a minimal number of trusted personnel. The ZRP has appealed to the public to report suspicious activity and to cooperate with investigations to bring perpetrators to justice.