Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
A 16-YEAR-OLD boy from Chief Shana in Jambezi has been sentenced to eight years in prison by Hwange Regional Magistrate Shepherd Munjanja for stealing three Honda Fit vehicles in separate incidents around Hwange.
According to CID spokesperson Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri, the juvenile stole the first vehicle on June 3, 2026, after the complainant parked it overnight.
Using an unknown object to unlock and start the car, he drove it off. It was later recovered in Cinderella, Hwange.
On June 4, he stole a second Honda Fit using the same method; and it was recovered on June 10 in Victoria Falls after detectives received a tip-off.
On June 10, detectives spotted the teen sitting inside a third stolen Honda Fit. He sped off but was arrested shortly after, leading to the vehicle’s recovery.
In a related Harare case, Edmore Chiseko (43) and Dean Chirimunimba (32) were arrested on June 24 for selling a suspected stolen Honda Fit.
Investigations revealed the pair would hire vehicles from rental companies and fraudulently sell them using forged registration documents.
Police have expressed growing concern over the rising number of Honda Fit thefts nationwide, with vehicles frequently targeted at car parks. Recent cases include thefts in Bulawayo, Harare, Chitungwiza, and Seke.
Separately, the Zimbabwe Republic Police reported intensified efforts against the vandalism of critical infrastructure. On May 30, Admire Dube (29) and Clive Muzuru (28) were arrested in Bulawayo for stealing 100 metres of telecommunication copper cables, which they burnt and prepared for resale. They were each jailed for 10 years on June 11.
In Marondera, Andrew Mupakurirwa (24) received an effective 10-year sentence on June 15 for stealing two submersible water pumps and a solar panel from Chipesa Farm in connivance with an accomplice.
In Harare, Silent Mushambi (21) was sentenced to 10 years on June 18 for underground cable theft, while three accomplices remain remanded to July 2. In Kadoma, Tapiwa Murizani (26) was convicted on June 15 for possessing copper cables without a licence, and Nomore Chari (32) received a similar conviction in Chitungwiza on June 16.
Inspector Muteweri warned the public that vandalising public utilities undermines essential services and derails economic development, and reiterated that offenders will face severe penalties.
