A gang of four men, who are still at large, on Saturday robbed the Stanbic Bank Gaborone, industrial branch.
Borakanelo Police station Commander, Superintendent Modisa Batshwane, told The Telegraph that the incident took place just before 10am during the bank trading hours.
He said the report from the bank says over P150 000 was taken, adding that the robbers are said to have been brandishing weapons which looked like guns and instructed customers and bank employees to lie down as they proceeded to rob the bank.
“We are still groping in the dark and looking for the suspects; currently, we have no clue as to their whereabouts, two days after the robbery took place,” he added.
Batshwane said the bank was later closed for security reasons while they tried to sort out the mess just after the incident had happened. Batshwane further stated that the suspects drove away in an unknown vehicle, adding that nobody was hurt during the robbery.
He, however, could not state whether the security cameras at the bank were switched on at the time of the robbery, saying they had not yet gone into that detail as they were still pursuing the robbers.
“I am appealing to the public to help us with information which might lead to the arrest of the suspects and people should be on the lookout for people who spend lavishly,” he said.
Batshwane said business people must become vigilant and intensify their security measures, adding that they should always treat each client with caution.
“We, as the police, are doing our best to protect the public,” he said, further stating that the Botswana Police has always been giving top priority to efficiency in the criminal justice system in Botswana top priority but expressed concern over the increasing rate of crime, which has been affecting the country’s business sector and individuals.
Hardly three months ago in December last year, Stanbic Bank Palapye branch was robbed. Amongst those arrested was one David July, who was later given bail by the Palapye Magistrate court on December 30. The bank was robbed a total of P410 000, ┬ú225, R8710, and Ôé¼100 on December 13 during the early hours of the bank trading hours in Palapye. The police are still on the hunt for three other suspects.
Stanbic Bank Marketing Manager, Duduetsang Chappelle-Molloy, also confirmed the incident and said that the bank is still assisting the police with investigations.
She said one staff member at Industrial Branch sustained minor injuries and was hospitalised for two days and is now recuperating at home.
