Crime spree ends, victims reunited with loot

THERE were tears of relief and smiles of joy at Gweru Central Police Station on Wednesday as residents and business owners were reunited with property they had long given up for lost.

The emotional scenes followed a major police operation that brought an end to a two-month crime spree which had gripped parts of the city.

For many of the victims, the recovered items — including vehicles, gas tanks, televisions, fridges and business equipment — meant more than just possessions. They represented restored livelihoods, lifted burdens and a fresh sense of hope.

One of those overcome with emotion was LP gas trader Dean Mapwanya. He stood quietly in front of his 12 recovered 48kg gas tanks before breaking down in tears — not from loss, but from relief.

All 12 tanks had been recovered, and one was still full. Even the weighing scale he used for his business, which he believed was gone forever, had been found.

“It is not easy to wake up and be told there is nothing at your gas shop. I had surrendered to fate because that was money lost. I want to thank the police who worked hard and made sure that we recovered our property,” the Mkoba 14 trader said.

Mapwanya was among dozens of residents and businesspeople who gathered at the station to identify and collect their belongings after detectives arrested three suspects believed to have been behind a series of thefts and break-ins.

As people checked their recovered items, the station grounds were filled with scenes of gratitude and relief, with many praising police officers for their dedication and hard work.

Residents and shop owners came to Gweru Central Police Station where they were able to identify their belongings before being reunited with them. Three suspects, who residents say had been terrorising the city, are now behind bars.

Midlands Assistant Commissioner Martin Matambo confirmed that police arrested Tarisai Danha, 35, Benard Phiri, 29, both of Harben Park, and Tinashe Gonde, 41, of Ascot Infill, on May 28.

The trio is accused of stealing vehicles and using them to carry out raids on homes, grocery shops and gas outlets in suburbs including Mtapa, Mambo, Mkoba, Ascot and South Downs between March 17 and May 19.

“They would first steal a motor vehicle and use it for transport, moving around, breaking into houses, grocery shops and gas shops, and taking the loot to their hideout,” Assistant Commissioner Matambo said at Gweru Central Police Station.

He added that after using the vehicles, the suspects would strip them of batteries and radios before dumping them.

“Police recovered property worth US$43 780. The haul included eight Honda Fits, 12 large gas tanks, three fridges, three 55-inch TVs, solar panels, blankets, amplifiers and groceries. Some victims have already collected their belongings from CID Gweru,” he said.

For Gloria Tshuma of Mtapa, the recovery brought an end to weeks of distress. On April 22, she woke up shortly after midnight to check on her poultry project and saw her Honda Fit parked outside.
By 6am, it was gone.

“I walked barefoot to Mtapa Police Station… I was in shock and felt weak. I went three days without eating,” she said.
Tshuma said police recovered the car three days later. Although some items such as the toolbox and steering wheel covers were missing, the vehicle itself was intact.

“I say these thieves should rot in jail because they are a danger to society,” she said.
Businessman Nicholas Mapfumo, who runs five grocery shops, also suffered losses when his Mkoba 6 shop was broken into on April 16.

At first, he had little hope of recovering anything.

“I wasn’t expecting to recover anything. I once lost groceries worth almost US$3 000 and recovered nothing,” he said.

But on Wednesday, he left the station with his swipe machine and cash box.

“The process of getting a swipe machine is cumbersome. I am happy,” he said with a smile.
Assistant Commissioner Matambo said the three suspects appeared in court on Monday, facing initial charges of unlawful entry and theft.

Each was convicted and sentenced to 58 months in prison.
He added that the suspects are expected to return to court to face 20 more charges, including motor vehicle theft.

Assistant Commissioner Matambo also urged other victims to visit the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Gweru to identify and recover their property.

“We also warn residents to secure properties, homes and vehicles. We commended members of the community who assisted us in making the arrest and the recovery of the vehicles and the goods,” he said.

For Mapwanya, the difficult chapter is now behind him. One by one, he loaded his recovered gas tanks back into his shop — a symbol of a fresh start.