MANZINI – As investigations continue into the heist at EswatiniBank Manzini Branch, it has emerged that the suspects failed to access where all the money was kept.
The cunning robbers broke into the financial institution on Sunday night and were said to have spent two hours before exiting with over E2 million.
It has been established by this publication that before settling at the automated teller machines (ATMs), where they had to tread carefully in extracting the cash, given the security features installed in them to limit any prospects of theft, they had spent time trying to break into the vault.
According to the College Investor, a bank vault is a fortified space within a bank, specifically designed to protect its contents from theft, unauthorised access and disasters, such as fires or natural calamities.
The website which teaches about navigating money and education, states that vaults are constructed with reinforced walls and doors made from steel and concrete, often making them nearly impenetrable to conventional tools and methods of breaking and entering.
It emphasises that bank vaults typically use sophisticated locking mechanisms that may include time locks, combination locks and electronic locks, enhancing their security further.
Meanwhile, sources relayed that the robbers made an effort to access it but failed as its high-tech security and other features protected the bank’s assets.
The sources claimed that aside from not having entered the bank with explosives, any loud noise would have drawn attention from security guards who were stationed outside the ATM.
Furthermore, this publication has established that the former employee of the financial institution was in the company of suspects who had a strong accent. Suspicions from the sources are that the ex-employee accomplices were South Africans.
On the other hand, it has been established that the former bank employee had regained his freedom last September following a stint at His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS).
The first 24 hours ended yesterday without an arrest, but an identification of a former employee who could assist the police in the investigation.
After police posted pictures of Bongani Mzwandile Arcan Shongwe as a person of interest in the robbery, people took to social media saying they had full confidence that the people who robbed the bank would be arrested.
“I give them 48 hours, the white van will definitely come back with them,” said one on Facebook. Another said: “The white CID van won’t sleep tonight.”
Meanwhile, another wrote: “The long arm of the law, from now on, you’ll be looking over your shoulder, hhayi batsi ‘avoid trouble so trouble cannot trouble you’.
Some suggested the robbers may have already skipped the country by Monday afternoon.
*Full article available on Pressreader*
As investigations into Monday morning’s EswatiniBank Manzini Branch heist continue, police are looking for Bongani Mzwandile Arcan Shongwe (39) of Dvokolwako, whom they believe may have information that could assist in the case.