Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
A 26-YEAR-OLD Chipinge man has been arrested on 34 counts of unlawful entry and theft – bringing an end to a nine-month-long crime spree that resulted in local residents losing property valued over US$9 000.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the arrest of Themba Mhlanga-Dube, of Mwaingeni Village under Chief Ngungunyana in Chipinge.
Dube was arrested last Sunday following an extensive investigation by a special dragnet squad from ZRP Chipinge Urban, who worked in conjunction with police intelligence operatives to apprehend the slippery suspect.
“Dube’s arrest led to the closure of 34 dockets related to burglary and theft, dating back to September 2024. The suspect had been causing distress among residents in several Chipinge suburbs, including Low Density, Usanga, St Kelvin, Medium Density, and Gaza E.
“His operations had caused serious distress among Chipinge residents for several months, with reports of unlawful entry and theft cases being received from different suburbs. His arrest has brought relief to the affected communities,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said the breakthrough came when investigators cross-referenced stolen mobile phones from reported break-ins with data from mobile service providers.
“One of the stolen phones was traced to a user at Checheche Growth Point, leading to the arrest of Vimbai Watson (22), of Checheche New Town.
She had unknowingly purchased the stolen phone from a second-hand dealer,” he said, adding that upon questioning, Watson led investigators to Tatenda Muzondi, the dealer, who admitted to purchasing several gadgets from Dube, including an HP laptop and Digimark television set.
Muzondi cooperated with the police and provided directions to Dube’s homestead, resulting in his arrest.
“Following the arrest, Dube voluntarily led police to various locations where he had disposed the stolen property, enabling us to clear 34 criminal cases, some of which had long frustrated investigators,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
The total value of the stolen items is estimated at US$9 000, with only US$3 000 worth of goods recovered to date.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said the recovered property include two Samsung A06 cellphones, one Mobicel handset, three HP laptops, one Vivo Star laptop, one Acer laptop, eight laptop computer hard drives, three desktop hard drives, five laptop LCD screens, a 32-inch Digimark television, and computer keyboard.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka commended the police’s swift work, and urged the public to continue reporting suspicious activities and stolen property.
“We commend the dedicated officers who pursued every lead and apprehended the suspect. We also advise residents to exercise caution when purchasing second-hand electronics, and to report any suspicious sales to the police.
“Public safety and security remain our top priority, and we will continue to work tirelessly until all stolen property is recovered,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka, adding that investigations still are ongoing, with police expecting to recover more stolen items.
