Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza [email protected]
TWO juveniles aged 14 and 15 have been arrested in Bulawayo in separate incidents for allegedly stealing vehicles from car parks in Entumbane and Emakhandeni suburbs using duplicate keys and a pair of scissors before driving them into the city centre.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said the incidents, which occurred on Tuesday night and April 30 respectively, have raised concern over the increasing involvement of juveniles in motor vehicle theft cases. She said Honda Fit vehicles have become a common target for criminals.
She said one of the stolen vehicles was later involved in a road traffic accident in the city centre, while the second vehicle was intercepted by an alert off-duty police officer after the juvenile driver attracted attention through reckless driving.
The two suspects are below the legal age required to hold driver’s licences.
“In the late hours of Tuesday, a road traffic accident occurred involving two motor vehicles at the corner of First Avenue and Josiah Tongogara Street, and upon investigations police discovered that one of the drivers was a minor who had stolen the vehicle from a car park in Entumbane suburb,” said Insp Msebele.
She said the vehicle owner, a 34-year-old woman, had parked her car at Zothile Car Park in Entumbane before the juvenile allegedly stole it.
“The juvenile, accompanied by two boys aged eight and five years old, allegedly used duplicate keys to start the vehicle at around 8PM before driving into the city centre,” she said.
Police investigations further revealed that the suspect had allegedly been working with his uncle, identified only as Benson from Emganwini suburb, to steal vehicles from car parks before using them for pirate taxi operations during the night and returning them in the early hours of the morning.
In a separate incident on April 30, an off-duty police officer reportedly boarded a Honda Fit near the Old Renkini Bus Terminus along Luveve Road after noticing the vehicle operating as a pirate taxi.
“After travelling a short distance, the officer observed that the driver was operating the vehicle recklessly. He identified himself as a police officer and requested the juvenile to produce a driver’s licence, but the suspect failed to do so,” said Insp Msebele.
The officer then ordered the juvenile to stop the vehicle, and subsequent investigations revealed that the car had been stolen from a car park in Emakhandeni suburb.
“The owner, a 57-year-old man, had already filed a police report after discovering that his vehicle had been stolen. The juvenile had allegedly used a pair of scissors to start the motor vehicle before driving off into the Bulawayo city centre.”
Insp Msebele urged motorists to be vigilant and strengthen security measures on their vehicles, including the use of additional anti-theft devices.
“We are concerned about the increase in motor vehicle theft cases, particularly involving Honda Fit vehicles. We also urge parents not to expose children to criminal activities. Some parents teach children to drive at a very young age, which can create an appetite for driving before they are mature enough to understand the legal and safety implications.”
Meanwhile, four people have been arrested in Bulawayo after police allegedly recovered 1,5 kilogrammes of dagga and bottles of Broncleer cough syrup during an operation targeting drug and substance abuse.
The suspects, identified as Howard Chiweshe (31) of Link Drive, Masasa, Tanaka Tasara (24) of Link Drive, Masasa, Regard Gumbo (25) of Mbizo in Kwekwe and Valerie Manyura (32) of Makwasha in Zvishavane, are facing charges of unlawful possession of dagga and prescription medicines.
According to police, detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Drugs and Narcotics Unit received a tip-off on Monday night that the suspects were allegedly in possession of drugs at a public park in the city.
“Acting upon the information received, detectives proceeded to the location and conducted surveillance, leading to the identification of the accused persons. The detectives identified themselves and searched the suspects and their vehicle, leading to the recovery of four transparent plastic sachets containing loose dagga and two 100ml bottles of Broncleer cough syrup,” said Insp Msebele.
Police said the recovered dagga has an estimated street value of ZiG45 000, while the Broncleer cough syrup is valued at approximately ZiG3 000.
The suspects are expected to appear in court facing drug-related charges.
Insp Msebele commended members of the public for providing information that led to the arrests.
“We appreciate members of the public for providing information that assisted police in arresting the accused persons. We also warn members of the public that anyone found engaging in the unlawful possession, trafficking or abuse of dangerous drugs and illicit substances will be arrested and prosecuted,” she said.
