Online Reporter
The Herald
14 May 1981
CAR theft is extremely prevalent in the Salisbury area and is becoming more so, with cars worth more being than $2 million stolen annually, Provincial Magistrate Mr Des Utting said yesterday.
Speaking at the Salisbury Magistrates’ Court when passing sentence on a number of convicted car thieves, Mr Utting said the crime was all the more serious because the owner of a stolen vehicle would have to wait a long time to buy a new one.
The courts were obliged to pass sentences which would not only deter the convicted person, but also others who were like minded, he added.
Mr Utting sentenced three men to two years’ jail each for the theft, and attempted theft, of cars.
Onias Mhembere, motor mechanic at a garage in Harare, pleaded guilty to stealing a Peugeot 403 station wagon from a house in Hatfield on May 7.
The court heard that Mhembere (23), of 1102 St Mary’s, broke the car window, opened the door and pushed the car down the driveway of the house and into the road, where he started it and drove off.
Samuel Chihambakwe (23), of 7 Highmount Flats, Salisbury, was caught in the act of trying to steal a car, by a passing police car on Friday night.
Chihambakwe and his two co-accused, both juveniles, were arrested as they tried to start a parked Datsun 120Y by crossing the ignition wires.
After jailing Chinambakwe for two years, Mr Utting remanded the juveniles in custody pending a probation officer’s report.
The third car thief, Gift Tyres, of 9 Zongororo Road, Mufakose, stole a car from outside a night club in Stanely Avenue on April 24 and later drove it to the Trade Fair in Bulawayo.
He told the court he abandoned the car there and caught the train back to Salisbury.
Lessons for today:
The passage shows the proactive efforts of law enforcement in catching and prosecuting car thieves. Community cooperation and reporting suspicious activities can support these efforts. It teaches us about the importance of security, the impact of crime on individuals, and the role of law enforcement in maintaining order.
Car theft remains a significant issue in Zimbabwe, but there have been notable efforts to combat it. The Zimbabwe Republic Police have intensified their efforts to tackle car theft and other crimes. In a recent nationwide crackdown, several car thieves were arrested and given harsh sentences.
This demonstrates the government’s commitment to reducing crime. In Harare, five individuals were arrested for stealing cars in separate incidents. These arrests highlight ongoing efforts to apprehend and prosecute car thieves.
The police have encouraged citizens to report suspicious activities, which helps in preventing and solving car theft cases. While car theft remains a challenge, these measures show progress in addressing the issue.
