Theft Spree Lands Three Behind Bars, Police Recovers US$43,700 Worth of Property

Gweru - Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in the Midlands Province have arrested three men accused of orchestrating a spate of vehicle thefts, housebreakings and shop lootings across Gweru, leading to the recovery of stolen property valued at US$43,780.

Assistant Commissioner Martin Matambo, on behalf of the Officer Commanding Police in the Midlands Province, Patson Nyabadza, confirmed the arrests on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, at the Gweru Central Police Station, Midlands ZRP headquarters.

"Zimbabwe Republic Police Midlands Province confirms the arrest of three suspects and subsequent [part] recovery of property worth over US$48 000 which was stolen in and around Gweru for the period extending from 17 March 2026 to 19 May 2026," he said. 

The suspects, identified as Tarisai Danha (35), Benard Phiri (29), both of Plot 16 Harben Park, and Tinashe Gonde (41) of Ascot Infill, were apprehended on 28 May 2026.

Assistant Commissioner Matambo said the trio allegedly terrorised residents for the past two months, targeting the Gweru Central Business District, high and low density suburbs including Mtapa, Mambo, Mkoba, Ascot and South Downs.

Their modus operandi involved stealing motor vehicles, using them to transport themselves to commit further crimes such as unlawful entry, theft from grocery shops, gas outlets and stock theft.

"On each and every count, they would first steal a motor vehicle and use it for transport and move around breaking houses, grocery shops and gas shops carrying the loot to their hiding hub.

"They would then take car batteries and radios from the stolen vehicles before dumping them," Assistant Commissioner Matambo said.

The group faces a total of 24 counts.

On Monday, 1 June 2026, they appeared in court on initial charges of unlawful entry and theft, where each was convicted and sentenced to 58 months in prison.

They are expected to return to court to face the remaining 20 counts, which include theft of motor vehicles and additional cases of unlawful entry and theft.

Police recovered eight Honda Fit motor vehicles, 12 by 48kg gas tanks, seven 5kg gas tanks, three refrigerators, three 55-inch television sets, three 200-watt solar panels, fifteen car batteries, seven radio speakers, 14 blankets, two amplifiers, two car radios and various groceries.

Some of the recovered property.

The total value of property stolen was placed at US$48,380.

Several items have already been positively identified and returned to their rightful owners.

One of the victims, Dean Mapwanya, an LP gas trader from Mkoba 14 was among those who recovered their property.

He thanked the police for the arrests and recovery of the property.

Dean Mapwanya.

“I recovered all my gas tanks and one is still full, including my scale,” he told Kwedu News.

“I want to thank the CID for a job well done. It’s not easy to wake up and you are told there is nothing at your gas cage. I thank all those who made sure that we recovered our property," he said.

Gloria Tshuma from Mtapa described the trauma of discovering her car missing on 22 April.

“On the 22nd of April I woke up around 12 a.m. when I received a funeral message, and also took that apportunity to check my chickens because I have a poultry project and the car was there,” she said.

Gloria Tshuma.

"Early morning, around 6 a.m. I woke up and found my car missing. I was shocked and felt weak.

“I walked barefooted to Mtapa police station... Luckily they recovered the car on a Friday and it was three days without me eating," she said.

Tshuma said the vehicle was found at some flats in the CBD.

While some accessories like the toolbox and steering covers were missing, the rest of the car was intact.

“I say these thieves should rot in jail and don’t come back," she added.

Nicholas Mapfumo, a businessman with five grocery shops in Gweru, and an employee at Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base, lost stock from his Mkoba 6 shop on 16 April.

“Someone called me around 4 a.m. and said the doors at one of my shops are open.

"The shop was looted,” he recounted. “It showed that they had a car... and it seems they were using a bolt cutter to cut the locks as well," he said.

Nicholas Mapfumo.

Mapfumo expressed surprise at recovering some items, including his swipe machine and cash box.

“I wasn’t expecting to recover anything. I once lost some groceries... worth almost US$3000 and recovered nothing. But I am happy because the process of getting a swipe machine is cumbersome,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner Matambo urged other victims to come forward to the CID Gweru to identify their property.

“We urge the general public to secure their properties against such thefts,” he said.

The police commended members of the public who provided information leading to the arrests and warned criminals that the long arm of the law will catch up with them.