About E2 million was stolen in a daring armed robbery at the Eswatini Bank Manzini branch in the early hours of Monday, allegedly carried out by three suspects, including a former employee of the bank.
Police have identified Bongani Mzwandile Arcan Shongwe (39) of Dvokolwako, a former Eswatini Bank employee, as the main suspect. The identities of the other two suspects are still unknown.
The robbery is believed to have occurred at around 2am.
According to sources, the suspects first targeted the bank’s security guard, ambushing him at the guardhouse while he was unaware. The guard was allegedly threatened with violence, tied up with a rope and forced to surrender his keys and a proximity access card.
A proximity card is a contactless access-control card used to secure restricted areas.
After restraining the guard, two suspects reportedly proceeded to the rear entrance of the bank, where they used the stolen card to gain access into the building. The third suspect allegedly remained behind, guarding the restrained security officer at gunpoint.
Once inside, the suspects allegedly used the keys taken from the guard to access rooms housing five automated teller machines (ATMs). They then dismantled sections of the walls using a hammer-like object before helping themselves to large sums of cash.
The suspects then fled the scene.
Sources said another security guard stationed outside the ATM area did not suspect any foul play and remained unaware of the robbery as it unfolded inside the building.
The restrained guard later managed to free himself and raised the alarm, prompting the matter to be reported to police.
Sources further revealed that the suspects deliberately avoided bombing the ATMs, fearing that the sound of explosives would immediately alert officers at the nearby Manzini Police Station, located only a few metres away.
Following the report, a heavy police presence descended on the scene, with officers from the Scenes of Crime Unit, Lukhozi Serious Crime Unit, and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) deployed, alongside senior investigators.
National Commissioner of Police Manoma Vusi Masango also attended the scene, saying an intensive and comprehensive investigation was under way.
“We want to reconstruct the scene to determine what transpired and how certain items were removed,” he said, adding that the process could take several days.
Masango said banking services would only resume once police officially declared the premises safe, although parallel investigations would continue thereafter.
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He warned would-be criminals to desist from criminal activity, assuring the public that law enforcement agencies remained committed to restoring safety and security.
“This trend compels us to up our game and ensure that this kind of criminality is brought under control,” he said, urging members of the public to work closely with police by sharing information that could assist in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Bank employees and several customers were turned away as investigations continued.
Eswatini Bank later issued an SMS notice announcing the temporary closure of the Manzini branch and its ATMs, with operations still suspended.
Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni confirmed the robbery, stating that E2 million was stolen and that no arrests had been made.
Eswatini Bank Executive Manager for Marketing and Communications Lindiwe Shongwe also confirmed the incident.
“Please be advised that the police are currently on site at our Manzini branch. Necessary investigations have been initiated and are ongoing,” she said.
She added that customers would be informed once operations resumed and encouraged them to use digital banking channels, nearby branches, ATMs, the Matsapha branch or the nearest post office in the meantime.
