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Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
AN ex-cop and a prison officer allegedly blew up a safe at Filabusi Post Office using explosives before stealing cash and goods worth $1,054 on Saturday.
The former detective, Shepherd Makwikwi, 39, a prison officer stationed at Bulawayo Prison, Mondli Dube, 32, and a third suspect, Witness Hlongwane, 39, were arrested at the scene after a security guard at a nearby shop immediately alerted the police following the blast.
The three suspects allegedly used explosives to blast open a safe at the Post Office stealing $816 in cash and airtime vouchers worth $216 as well as sim cards worth $22.
Acting police spokesperson for Matabeleland South province Assistant Inspector, Nkosilathi Sibanda, yesterday said the three were arrested at the scene, but could not comment further.
However, police sources alleged that when Dube and Hlongwane broke into the Post Office, Makwikwi stood guard about 100 metres away from the premises in a get-away vehicle. “They used a bolt cutter to cut the perimeter fence. After gaining entry into the yard, they tried to gain entry through the roof but failed. They later destroyed padlocks of the screen door,” said the source.
He said the once inside two of them blew up the safe using explosives and took $816, airtime vouchers and NetOne sim cards and airtime vouchers.
All the items were valued at $1,054.
The source said a security guard manning a nearby shop immediately reported the explosion at Filabusi Police Station. “They even tried to break into the Post Master’s office but further attempts were foiled by police officers. The police officers had been alerted by a security guard who was manning a nearby shop who rushed to Filabusi Police Station to report the explosion,” said the source.
He said as the three suspects tried to escape they were intercepted by the police officers.
Dube is alleged told his bosses, a day before committing the crime that he was going to attend a funeral.