One of the key suspects involved in the daring US$4 million Ecobank armed robbery was 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 remanded in custody until December 5, 2025, when his trial is expected to commence.Mlilo’s lawyer, Tawanda Tavengwa of Mutuso Taruvinga and Mhiribidi Attorneys, informed the court that the defense was ready for the immediate commencement of the trial.

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

According to the court, Mlilo and his accomplices, including the notorious Vumbunu brothers, Elijah Temayi and Abraham Temayi, as well as Simon Xola Ngcobo, Menzeli Mpofu, Khalid Ntimen, and others still at large, are alleged to have planned the heist.

The Vumbunu brothers have since been arrested in South Africa and are currently awaiting extradition to Zimbabwe to face trial.

The gang drove a white Ford Ranger when they committed the crime at the Ecobank branch at corner 9th Avenue and Fife Street in Bulawayo.

According to Ncube, the armed suspects blocked a Safeguard cash-in-transit vehicle, threatening and holding the security guards hostage.

They seized four metal boxes containing cash, three from the 9th Avenue branch, amounting to US$3,983,500. An additional box containing US$465,500 was taken from the Ecobank Bradfield branch.

The suspects also stole three firearms from the Safeguard guards before loading the stolen cash and weapons into their getaway vehicle and fleeing the scene.