Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. The Bulawayo High Court has ordered DDNS Security Operations, trading as Securico, to pay How Mine US$675,000 in damages after losing 11.95kg of gold bullion during an armed robbery on October 4, 2022.
How Mine sued the security company for failing to provide adequate protection while transporting the gold to Bulawayo.
The mining company argued that Securico did not use an armoured vehicle, and its guards lacked panic buttons, while some reportedly didn’t even have airtime to raise the alarm.
In its defence, Securico claimed the robbery was unforeseeable and beyond human foresight.
However, in a judgment handed down on July 1, Justice Joseph Chilimbe ruled that the crew’s failure to alert both the police and their own response teams amounted to gross negligence.
He said the failure to activate any alarm systems during the heist could not be excused and pointed to serious lapses in basic security protocols.
In its defence, Securico argued that the robbery was unforeseeable. However, under cross-examination, its own witnesses acknowledged that armed robberies were a well-known and recognised risk in the security industry.
Justice Joseph Chilimbe found that Securico had knowingly transported high-value cargo using “soft-skin” plated vans instead of properly armoured vehicles.
He further noted that the company was fully aware of its limited firepower and, commendably, had instructed its personnel to prioritise the preservation of life by avoiding armed confrontation. Said Justice Chilimbe:
… I reach the conclusion that Securico failed to discharge the requisite onus of proving the defence of vis major. How Mine succeeds in the main.
Securico is ordered to pay How Mine the sum of US$675,000 and interest thereon at the rate of 5 per cent per annum with effect from October 4, 2022, up to date of payment in full.
Advocate Thabani Mpofu represented How Mine, while Romeo Chatereza appeared for Securico.
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