Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, Sunday News Reporter
A GANG of 14 juveniles aged between 11 and 17 is set to appear in court in Bulawayo after they were nabbed by police for a series of crimes that include unlawful entry and theft targeting residential properties in Tshabalala and Nkulumane suburbs where they stole property worth US$8 948, R13 400 and P2 350.
The crime spree that has left communities in the two suburbs shell shocked allegedly took place in a period of three months from October last year.
The suspects are alleged to have committed more than 20 offences that left residents reeling in anguish after losing property that includes laptops, cell phones and household valuables.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said an alarming rise in cases of house breakings and unlawful entry were recorded in the Tshabalala and Nkulumane suburbs, prompting police to institute coordinated and thorough investigations into the crimes and bring the suspects to book.
“At the beginning of November 2025 police recorded an unusual rise in cases of unlawful entry and theft in Nkulumane and Tshabalala suburbs where unknown accused persons were breaking into several houses and stealing various items that include cash, cellphones, laptops and other valuables.
“Co-ordinated investigations by police in the two suburbs were launched to dismantle the criminal gang and bring the suspects to book,” said Insp Msebele.
Insp Msebele detailed the crime spree that police say began on 6 October when the juveniles broke into a Nkulumane home and grabbed US$350 and R1 900 after forcibly opening a door.
“On 8 November 2025, the accused persons gained entry into a complainant house by forcibly breaking the door using an unknown object and stole cash amounting to US$ 1 530 and left unnoticed.
“Ten days later the accused persons gained entry into another complainant’s house by forcing open a locked door and stole US$126. The following day they broke into another home and stole US$ 100 and two cellphones valued at US$150,” said Insp Msebele.
On 24 November the youthful gang struck again when they allegedly broke into another house and grabbed US$2 900.
“The following day they broke into yet another house by forcing open a locked door and stole US$63. On 1 December they gained entry into another house and stole US$ 150, two cellphones valued at US$300 and left unnoticed,” she said.
Four days later, the gang broke into another house and stole US$2 500 and R7 000.
“On 6 December the suspects gained entry into a complainant’s house by forcibly opening the door and stole a gas tank. In December on a yet to be ascertained date the accused broke into another house and stole US$140,”
Another home owner fell victim to the gang on 18 December when the accused pounced again and stole US$320.
“On 27 December the accused gained entry into another complainant’s house through an unlocked door and stole US$260. A day later they broke into another home through a locked door and stole R 9000,” she added.
On 29 December the crime spree continued unabated when the juveniles broke into another house and grabbed US$220 and R1 050.
More cash amounting to US$50 and P2 200 was stolen on 30 December.
Another victim was left in tears on the same day when she lost US$100 after the juveniles broke into her home through a locked door.
While residents of Bulawayo were preparing to usher in the New Year, the juveniles broke into another home on 31 December and stole US$200.
“On New Year’s Eve the accused gained entry into another complainant’s house and stole US$100, and two power banks valued at US$80. They went on to break into another house on the same day and stole US$50 and three sets of ear pods valued at US$30.
“Another home was broken into again at night on New Year’s Eve and the accused stole US$100,”
On 4 January 2026 police detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) from Nkulumane Police Station received information about the whereabouts of the gang, pounced on the juveniles to bring an end to the three months of house breaking and theft that had left the community in shock.
“The accused persons, in the company of their parents or guardians, assisted police detectives to recover four cell hones and three power banks valued at US$970. The total value of stolen property and cash amounted to US$8 948, R13 400 and P2 350. Police investigations are in progress,” said Insp Msebele.
She urged parents to monitor their children’s activities and keep an eye on unexplained expenditure by minors.
