Published: 24 November 2025

One of the suspects allegedly involved in the high-profile US$4 million Ecobank Bulawayo heist has been extradited from Botswana and appeared before the Bulawayo Regional Magistrate's Court on Friday.

Bhekani Mlilo (40) faced an armed robbery charge before magistrate Archie Wochiwunga. He was not required to enter a plea but confirmed the allegations against him. Mlilo was represented by his lawyer, Tawanda Tavengwa of Mutuso Taruvinga and Mhiribidi Attorneys, and was remanded in custody until 5 December 2025.

Speaking in court, Tavengwa said: "The matter happened last year on 3 October and that is a long period of time. We are ready for commencement of trial and we hope the State will be ready to start the trial next month on 5 December."

Prosecutor Concilia Ncube provided details of the heist, explaining that Mlilo, alongside accomplices including the notorious Vumbunu brothers, Elijah Temayi, Abraham Temayi, as well as Simon Xola Ngcobo, Menzeli Mpofu, Khalid Ntimen, and others still at large, planned the robbery on 3 October 2024.

"The Vumbunu brothers have since been arrested in South Africa and are expected to be extradited to Zimbabwe to kick-start their trial. They drove a white Ford Ranger registered in the name of Nomsa Aneline Zingela. Before the robbery, they changed the South African number plate to a Zimbabwean one and drove to the Ecobank branch at the corner of 9th Avenue and Fife Street in Bulawayo," Ncube said.

According to the prosecutor, Mlilo and his accomplices were armed with firearms. Upon arrival, they blocked a Safeguard cash-in-transit vehicle, threatening the security guards and holding them hostage. The suspects seized four metal boxes containing cash, three of which were from the 9th Avenue branch, containing US$3,983,500, along with three firearms taken from the Safeguard guards. An additional box containing US$465,500 was taken from the Ecobank Bradfield branch. The stolen cash and firearms were loaded into their getaway vehicle before they fled the scene.

Mlilo's trial is expected to commence on 5 December 2025, while authorities continue to pursue other suspects still at large.
- The Herald

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