Online Reporter
Simbarashe Chitsiku and Leot Mafukashe
A 32-YEAR-OLD Mutare man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of stealing vehicles in Mozambique and smuggling them into Zimbabwe through an illegal crossing point.
Dickson Nyamura, of Area 3 Dangamvura, appeared before Mutare magistrate Mr Poterai Gwezhira facing three counts of motor vehicle theft as defined in Section 113(1)(A) Of The Criminal Law [Codification And Reform] Act (Chapter 09:23).
He was sentenced to 10 years in jail, with three years suspended on condition of good behaviour.
Prosecutor Mrs Joice Tinarwo told the court that Nyamura targeted parked vehicles in Manica, Mozambique, stealing them during the night before driving them into Zimbabwe through the Burma Valley illegal crossing point.
The court heard that on November 29, 2025, at around 2am, Nyamura used a duplicate key to steal a red Honda Fit belonging to 42-year-old Loide Bernardo Tomas, of De Setembro, in Manica, Mozambique. He drove the vehicle across the border into Zimbabwe.
On December 1, 2025, Nyamura struck again, stealing another Honda Fit belonging to Margarida Paulo Sarapia (57), of Congresso, Manica, and drove it into Zimbabwe through the illegal crossing point. He later sold it to Mr Joseph Takunda Muzimba, of Area 3, Dangamvura.
Mrs Tinarwo said on December 2025, Nyamura stole a white Toyota Hiace belonging to Saramao Guidione Patricio Uache (45), of Bairo Manhate, Manica, which had been left parked by the roadside with keys in the ignition.
He smuggled the stolen vehicle into Zimbabwe.
Following reports made in Mozambique and alerts issued to CID Mutare, detectives launched investigations that led to Nyamura’s arrest and the recovery of all three vehicles, including one that had been parked at his hideout in Dangamvura.
All three complainants were invited to Mutare, where they positively identified their vehicles using registration and chassis numbers.
The stolen vehicles were valued at US$9 500, and all were recovered.
