Sundaymail Editor
TWO Mutare teenage love birds, aged 15 and 16, are in trouble after the girl allegedly stole a staggering US$25 000 from her sister’s husband.
The money was reportedly spent on luxury items, including a car, the latest iPhones and lavish gifts for her boyfriend and his mother.
The two teenagers, along with the boy’s mother, have been arrested and are awaiting court appearance, pending police investigations.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi stated that the 16-year-old girl from Chikanga high-density suburb allegedly stole her brother-in-law’s cash amounting to US$25 000 with her 15-year-old boyfriend (whose name has been withheld).
They then purchased a Honda Fit, three iPhones and various clothing items.
The boyfriend allegedly gave some of the cash to his mother, Munyaradzi Madzure (39), for safekeeping.
The female suspect drew suspicion after she began flaunting US$100 notes on her WhatsApp status, which led her brother-in-law Kelvin Motsi to report the theft to the police after discovering his money was missing.
“On March 14, around 10am, the complainant reported a case of theft, stating that an unknown person had stolen US$25 000 from his suit jacket. Police attended the scene and interviewed the complainant’s wife, who stated she suspected her younger sister (the 16-year-old girl) after seeing her WhatsApp status showing her counting US$100 notes. She asked her for an explanation, but got none,” said Commissioner Nyathi.
He added that police interviewed the female suspect, who confessed to stealing the money with her boyfriend on multiple occasions.
“The police then went to the boy’s residence and found him driving a Toyota Axio, registration number AFY 4786. When asked to produce a driver’s licence, he failed to do so and was arrested.
“The boy’s mother, the third accused, told police she had allowed her son to drive the car and was also arrested for permitting an unlicensed person to drive. The teenage couple admitted during interviews that they had stolen US$25 000 in cash from the complainant’s bedroom on various occasions,” he said.
According to the police, they used the stolen money to purchase a maroon Honda Fit (registration number AFS 4391) for US$5 800 and three iPhones for US$3 000.
They also bought various clothing items worth US$2 000. The boyfriend said he gave his mother US$5 000 for safekeeping, but she refused to hand it over to the police.
“The vehicle and three iPhones were recovered and are being held as evidence. The total value of the stolen items is US$25 000, while the total value recovered is US$9 000,” Commissioner Nyathi said.
At the time of reporting, the three suspects had not yet appeared in court.
When our news crew visited the complainant’s residence in Chikanga, a woman who opened the door refused to comment on the matter.
“I cannot speak with you or allow you to speak with anyone here because I do not know you. If you need any information, you can get it from the police at Chikanga Police Station, as the matter was reported there. I am sorry; please leave,” she said.
However, neighbours, who elected to remain anonymous, said the teenage girl had undergone significant change.
“She used to be very quiet, but recently became very flamboyant, posting pictures of herself with large sums of money on her WhatsApp status. We were all wondering how and why she had changed so suddenly. We thought it was fake money, but it turned out to be her brother-in-law’s stolen money, which she was spending with her boyfriend and his mother,” one neighbour said.
When we visited the boyfriend’s residence in Area 15, Dangamvura, no one opened the door.
However, neighbours revealed that the boy’s lifestyle had dramatically changed.
“We noticed significant changes in his lifestyle. Despite his young age, he was driving a new Honda Fit and buying us drinks, even though he did not drink himself.
“His WhatsApp status was filled with pictures and videos of him flaunting cash and expensive items. He was clearly infatuated with the girl, who was showering him with large sums of money.
“To be honest, some of us thought he had turned to ‘juju’ or wealth-enhancing charms,” said one close friend, who requested anonymity.
Another neighbour described the boy as someone who enjoyed the finer things in life.
“He was not a problematic child, but he had a penchant for nice things. We were not surprised when we saw him with expensive phones and wearing nice clothes. He was even driving around with the girl in a car, with loud music playing.” — Manica Post
**********************
Nyamandlovu man accused of rubbing genitals against sister-in-law
A 31-year-old man from Nyamandlovu, Matabeleland North province, was arrested after allegedly ambushing his sister-in-law, stripping her naked and repeatedly rubbing his genitals against her private parts, causing them to swell.
The details of the shocking incident were revealed when the accused, whose name is being withheld to protect the victim, aged 19, appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Joseph Mabeza on aggravated indecent assault charges.
He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody until March 27 for the commencement of trial. He was advised to apply for bail at the Bulawayo High Court.
The court heard that in December of last year, the accused’s mother-in-law visited their home and stayed for several days.
When the mother-in-law was leaving for her rural home, the accused’s wife asked her younger sister to accompany her to the bus stop.
The younger sister agreed. However, upon her return, the incident occurred.
As she was walking a few metres from her home, the accused emerged from a thicket, grabbed her hand and warned her not to scream.
Upon reaching another thicket, he allegedly ordered her to undress.
He then reportedly rubbed his genitals against her private parts several times, causing them to swell.
The distraught woman returned home and informed her sister about the ordeal. Her sister then accompanied her to the police station, where the matter was reported, leading to the accused’s arrest. — B-Metro
**********************
Infant killed in domestic violence fire
IN a horrific case of domestic violence, a man from Beitbridge, Matabeleland South province, allegedly stabbed his wife and caused the death of their nine-month-old daughter following an altercation over infidelity.
Gibson Chidzanga appeared before Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Ngoni Nduna on charges of assault, murder and malicious damage to property.
He was remanded in custody until March 24.
According to a statement by his wife, Thabani Sibanda, the dispute began over a text message from her work colleague.
“On December 13, 2022, around 8am, Chidzanga was holding my phone when a message from Apros Donga, my colleague, appeared. He had simply asked me to bring some buckets to work,” Sibanda explained.
Chidzanga allegedly accused her of infidelity.
Despite her denials, he took her phone and left.
Later that night, around 9pm, he returned home intoxicated and confronted her again about the message.
When she refused to respond, he grabbed her phone and went outside to show it to his friend.
A few minutes later, Chidzanga returned and stabbed Sibanda in the right hand with a knife, forcing her to flee the room.
At approximately 10pm, Chidzanga entered the bedroom carrying a gas cylinder and picked up his infant daughter from the bed.
He then summoned his family, threatening to burn them all alive.
Terrified, Sibanda and her nine-year-old daughter fled to a neighbour’s house.
Chidzanga then ignited the gas cylinder, causing a fire that engulfed the bedroom and resulted in the death of his nine-month-old daughter.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to his arrest. — Bulawayo Bureau
Online Reporter