A security guard accused of laundering money from Zimbabwe's biggest bank robbery cannot leave jail after a judge refused his bail request. Sibonginkosi Sibanda worked as a guard before police linked him to the massive Ecobank heist that netted criminals 4.4 million dollars. Prosecutors changed his charges from armed robbery to money laundering when they could not prove he actually took part in the October 2023 crime. The 49-year-old man from Cowdray Park suburb will stay locked up until his next court appearance on July 21. Police worry Sibanda might run away or interfere with their investigation.
His defense lawyer Prince Butshe-Dube attacked the prosecution case and found major problems with how police handled the investigation. Detective Tawedzerwa Shiriyapenga looked confused when the lawyer questioned him about the charges against Sibanda. The detective first denied that robbery was the original charge but his written statement from that morning said otherwise. Butshe-Dube pointed out that his client had never been convicted of crimes before and came to court when asked. The lawyer argued that keeping Sibanda in jail made no sense without proof he committed the robbery.
Prosecutors claim Sibanda bought houses and vehicles with stolen money from the bank heist. Police say he owns two houses in different neighborhoods and two rural properties along with a Honda car and Hino truck. Some of these assets appear under his wife and daughter's names according to court records. The Ecobank robbery remains the largest cash transport theft in the country's history. Police recently arrested the Vumbunu brothers in South Africa and believe they are close to solving the case.
His defense lawyer Prince Butshe-Dube attacked the prosecution case and found major problems with how police handled the investigation. Detective Tawedzerwa Shiriyapenga looked confused when the lawyer questioned him about the charges against Sibanda. The detective first denied that robbery was the original charge but his written statement from that morning said otherwise. Butshe-Dube pointed out that his client had never been convicted of crimes before and came to court when asked. The lawyer argued that keeping Sibanda in jail made no sense without proof he committed the robbery.
Prosecutors claim Sibanda bought houses and vehicles with stolen money from the bank heist. Police say he owns two houses in different neighborhoods and two rural properties along with a Honda car and Hino truck. Some of these assets appear under his wife and daughter's names according to court records. The Ecobank robbery remains the largest cash transport theft in the country's history. Police recently arrested the Vumbunu brothers in South Africa and believe they are close to solving the case.
