Bulawayo Robbery: South African Nationals Jailed, Ordered to Repay Stolen US Dollars

Two South African nationals have been sentenced to lengthy jail terms in Zimbabwe after being convicted of an armed robbery at a Bulawayo fuel station and ordered to repay the stolen cash in United States dollars. The pair were found guilty by the Bulawayo Regional Magistrates’ Court of robbing Redan Fuel Service Station at gunpoint, making off with thousands of dollars before being tracked down and arrested.

According to court evidence, the men drove to the service station, confronted the supervisor, and pointed a firearm at his head while demanding money from the safe and tills. They allegedly fled with about 4,400 US dollars and a quantity of South African rand, sparking a police investigation that led to their arrest after detectives linked them to distinctive clothing reportedly worn during the robbery.

Police recovered part of the stolen money, in both US dollars and rand, as well as a firearm believed to have been used in the crime. During sentencing, the magistrate noted the prevalence of armed robberies and the need to send a strong message, imposing effective prison terms amounting to several decades with hard labour.

In addition to their custodial sentences, the court ordered the robbers to compensate the complainant by repaying the full value of the stolen amount in US dollars. The cross-border nature of the case, involving South African citizens committing a serious offence in Zimbabwe, has drawn regional attention amid growing concern over violent cash-involved robberies in the country.