Bulawayo residents find relief as police nab ‘theft ring’

BULAWAYO residents can breathe a sigh of relief as Hillside Police CID apprehended four men suspected to be behind a series of unlawful entry and theft crimes.

The suspects, identified as Sindiso Moyo (34), Qinisani Ndlovu (30), Privilege Shumba (36), and Vusa Tshuma (35), are accused of stealing property valued at US$28 000.

Addressing a press conference on Friday at the Hillside Police station, Bulawayo Police Provincial Spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube expressed satisfaction. He said the apprehensions bring relief to the community, as the suspects have allegedly been terrorising residents since February.

“From February up to date there was a problem of unlawful entry and robberies but we want to commend the efforts of Bulawayo Police for their patience in following closely and investigating the crimes up to the arrest of the accused,” he said.

The criminal crew, operating under the cover of darkness, targeted residential homes by forcibly breaking in using metal tools and a bolt cutter. Their vehicle of choice was a blue Honda Fit, which they used to transport stolen goods.

Among the accused, Sindiso Moyo stands out as a repeat offender. Previously arrested by CID Hillside for unlawful entry and theft, Moyo now faces pending court proceedings. In a similar case, he received a 560-hour community service sentence, which he subsequently defaulted on, leading to a warrant for his arrest.

Interestingly, the same Honda Fit allegedly moonlights as a pirate taxi during the day, only to transform into a vehicle for transporting stolen goods at night.

Inspector Ncube praised the public’s co-operation with the police, providing crucial information that led to the apprehension of the suspects.

“We want to thank the working together of the public with the police. The information supplied was very useful in capturing these criminals who stole property worth US$28000 which includes solar panels, lithium batteries televisions and generators. Property worth US$19000 was recovered and we commend the people of Bulawayo for trusting and working together with the police. We want to promise that no stone will be left unturned in investigating and catching criminals,” Inspector Ncube said.

The police are also urging members of the public to form neighbourhood watch committees as they are effective in curbing crime.

“We also want to encourage residents to form neighbourhood watch committees who will do patrols and ensure the safety of residents. Neighbourhood watch is very effective because it is people from the community doing it and they know who is who in the community so when a stranger is spotted loitering they know what to do since they also liaise with the police,” said Inspector Ncube.

Inspector Ncube also urged individuals to desist from buying stolen goods as it enables criminals.

“There are people at Heany junction as well as others at the market who bought some of these stolen goods and it was not right for them to do so. We want to warn members of the public to desist from buying stolen goods because that is enabling criminals. When individuals purchase goods they should be receipted and use logic because it doesn’t make sense to buy a solar panel worth US$500 for US$100,” he said.