ZANACO has launched investigations on the cause of the fire that gutted its Chipata branch yesterday.
In a statement, ZANACO confirmed that the Chipata Branch was gutted by fire yesterday and that all customers and members of staff were safely evacuated and accounted for.
ZANACO is now urging account holders to use the ATMs at ZAMPOST and Great East Mall, any Visa enabled ATM from any bank and Zanaco Xpress Agents for basic cash withdrawals to ensure uninterrupted banking services to customers.
It said internet and mobile banking service remain uninterrupted adding that the Bank will give further updates in due course.
FIRE yesterday swept through Zanaco, Chipata branch, destroying millions of Kwacha in an inferno which started almost 14:30 hours.
By Press time, the cause of the fire was not yet known as some sources suspected that it started as a result of electrical fault.
People watched helplessly as fire gutted the whole Zanaco building.
The fire brigade tried to quench the flames but fire continued raging until another fire tender from the Zambia Airforce was called in for reinforcement.
By 18:000 hours, the fire brigade from the Chipata fire engine was still struggling to put off the fire, which destroyed all the computers and automated teller machines (ATM) outside the bank.
There was panic in Chipata as customers banking with Zanaco tried to withdraw the little that they had in the ATM-Zanaco situated at Debonairs.
Eastern Province Deputy Police Commissioner Hudson Namachila said it was too early to know the extent of the damage until forensic assessment of the actual figure of the amount of money the fire destroyed, including other items which were in the bank.
i can see manchester fan watching helplessly…..timwela kuti lelo
This now spills a disaster for ZANACO and us its customers. We’ve always advised them to open another Branch but all this has always fallen on deaf ear… The cash agents do not handle cheque related withdraws. So what happens to me on monday!! Cause I have a cheque payment to make. Kaso ma boar.
I HOPE NO ONE IS TRYING TO HIDE A FRAUD. ZAMBIANS CAN BE TRICKY SOMETIMES.
Wow!!Nice development,how i wish ekonali i would have poured kerosene pantu utuma services twenu twaliba monotonous,tulanasha sana.If u ‘re short staffed mwa twingishako ifima jobs.Time to reconcile utuma profit & loss a/c’s twenu.
Accountants are notorious for starting fires to hide theft. I can put my finger on this- some accountant started the fire to damage the records. We know this trick.
too bad,money wasted.