Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo-Court Correspondent
A Harare man who stole a cellphone belonging to a deceased police officer while the officer’s belongings were being transported to his home has been sentenced to perform 210 hours of community service.
Tobias Cheuka (32), a street car washer, pleaded guilty to theft when he appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Nyaradzo Manokore on Friday.
He was initially sentenced to 10 months imprisonment.
However, the six months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
The remaining four months were suspended on condition that he perform 210 hours of community service.
The complainant is Detective Constable Chiramba stationed at CID Homicide, Harare.
Prosecutor Mr Tinotenda Masimba told the court that on March 3, 2026, at around 9am, Detective Assistant Inspector George Pfidze gathered property belonging to the late Detective Constable Chitsowe Mackenzie.
The items included a black wallet containing US$30, a police identity card, a national identity card, a Samsung Galaxy A16 cellphone, a police notebook and other personal belongings.
The property was placed in a plastic bag and entrusted to another detective officer who was tasked with transporting it in a silver Toyota Hiace to Rice Village under Chief Chiswiti in Mt Darwin District for the burial of the late officer.
The belongings were meant to be handed over to the deceased’s relatives.
Cheuka, together with the detective officer and other mourners, boarded the vehicle travelling to Mt Darwin.
Along the journey, Cheuka allegedly stole the Samsung Galaxy A16 cellphone and US$10 cash from the plastic bag before concealing the items.
Upon arrival in Mt Darwin, the detective officer handed over the property to the deceased’s relatives and discovered that the cellphone and cash were missing.
A report was subsequently made to the police, leading to investigations.
On May 6, 2026, investigations revealed that the stolen cellphone was now being used by Cheuka. Detectives tracked him to the ZRP Harare Central car park, where he was arrested, and the cellphone was recovered.
The stolen property was valued at US$210, and the recovered cellphone was worth US$200.
