Online Reporter
Moreblessing Ncube
A 21-YEAR-OLD Makokoba man allegedly turned other people’s pockets into personal shops and their phones into free samples until his luck, legs and hiding skills all ran out in spectacular fashion.
Ethan Paul Ndlovu appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mark Dzira after a phone theft spree that had residents checking their pockets every two seconds. He was remanded in custody until 6 February and was not asked to plead.
Prosecutor Hazel Ncube told the court that Ndlovu’s sticky fingers were first felt on 17 October 2025, near McKeurtain Primary School. He allegedly approached Agrippa Mbekezeli pretending to know him, the classic “don’t I know you?” trick.
After close contact, Ndlovu allegedly searched Mbekezeli and quietly removed an Itel S23 cellphone from his pockets. It was only when he checked for the phone in his pocket that Mbekezeli realised he had been lightened.
When confronted, Ndlovu took off like an Olympic hopeful, disappearing into the winding streets of Makokoba. The matter was reported and private trackers later recovered the phone. Its value was US$100.
On the same day, Marshall Sibanda was busy on a call using his Wico Mobile phone, which he had placed in his pocket. Ndlovu allegedly approached him asking for snuff. While the two were close, the phone allegedly changed ownership without consent.
When Sibanda noticed, he chased after Ndlovu, who ducked into a house on 7th Street and vanished like a ghost. The phone, valued at US$80, was not recovered.
The court heard that Ndlovu’s shopping list also included laptops.
On 29 June 2025, at Siyaphambili Shops in Makokoba, Simiso Dlodlo stepped outside her shop briefly to throw away litter. In that short window, Ndlovu allegedly slipped inside and walked away with a Lenovo laptop worth R2 000. It was never recovered.
Eventually, the long arm of the law caught up with the short fingers.
On 20 November 2025, an informant tipped off West Commonage police that Ndlovu was hiding in Makokoba.
Police officers moved in and arrested him, slapping handcuffs on him.
Ever one to always add an exclamation mark to his escapades, Ndlovu pulled another shocker.
On the way to the police station, he allegedly escaped from custody, turning the arrest into a foot chase sequel. A search was launched and Constable Benson finally found him hiding under a bed at house number 460, 9th Street.
To make matters worse, he was allegedly busy trying to remove the handcuffs.
This time, there was no escape. Ndlovu was re-arrested and taken to the police station.
