Moffat Mungazi
Takudzwa Manzero
Post Correspondent
POLICE in Chipinge have recovered goods worth US$10 000 from suspects who committed unlawful entry cases during the festive season.
A sting operation by detectives, which began in November, led to the arrest of four fugitives who terrorised Mt Selinda, Chako, and Mandanda business centres with their criminal activities.
The four suspects are Edson Godfrey Mabvirakare (43), from Tochiona Village, Bikita, Stanford Mataruse (27), of ZBS, Chipinge, Thomas Sithole (41), from Mapungwana Village, Chief Mapungwana, Chipinge and Wonder Maraire (39) of no fixed abode.
Zimbabwe Republic Police Chipinge Urban, Inspector Anos Chindanya confirmed the haul, adding that the police will bring all criminal elements under his jurisdiction to book.
“Following a surge in unlawful entry cases in my policing area, we gathered intelligence to identify the perpetrators, as most cases were going undetected. Our intelligence team tracked down the recently released prisoners specialising in unlawful entry cases with modus operandi matching those reported by the complainants. Further investigation revealed that some suspects were staying in Mozambique, returning to Zimbabwe to commit crimes, and taking stolen property to Mozambique,” he said.
Inspector Chindanya said on February 5, Maraire was seen frequenting Mt Selinda, Chako and Mundanda business centres, and the following morning, police details approached him while he was walking from his sister’s homestead with his brother towards Chako Business Centre.
They used a social enquiry about the health of a relative as a ruse to lure the three family members into close proximity, enabling them to apprehend the accused.
After his arrest, Maraire led the police to one of the suspects only identified as Vukile’s homestead, who upon realising that the police were closing in, fled and remains at large.
A search of the fleeing suspect’s homestead led to the recovery of a base bed, laptop, 12-volt battery, motorbike, 2-in-1 blanket, Lifan motorbike and seven-channel sound mixer.
Maraire accompanied the police to his homestead where additional stolen items including a 12-volt Taurus battery, 12-volt Exide battery, three pillowcases, Capri water dispenser fridge, deep freezer fridge, KICC 210-litre deep freezer, 2 x 42-inch Plasma TVs, 32-inch Panasonic television, Hybrid PA system (full set), four buckets containing various groceries, electric kettle, three bedspread sets, comforter, an inverter, 5kg gas tank and four curtains were recovered.
Upon further interrogations, Maraire disclosed Mugabi as his other accomplice, and a search of his homestead yielded the following items — one speed bike engine, 240 bolts and 200 nuts, 152 washers, 70 A5 books and 20 A4 books.
Upon questioning, Mugabi disclosed that he had left additional stolen goods in Mozambique in the custody of an accomplice named D-Master.
The items included a lifestyle motorbike, speed bike, ATA Zim bike, laptop, four 12-volt batteries, various groceries and Samsung television.
The total value of the recovered property is estimated at US$10 000.
All the stolen goods were taken to ZRP Chipinge Urban, where the complainants positively identified their valuables.
Acting Officer Commanding Police in Chipinge District, Superintendent Godfrey Likalawe, emphasised the importance of community involvement in preventing crime, particularly in residential areas.
He encouraged the able-bodied to join the neighbourhood watch committee, which has been instrumental in curbing crime.
“We have managed to close 12 unlawful entry cases with the prosecution of these men. Going forward, it is important for members of the community that are able-bodied to join the neighbourhood watch committee to help curb crime in our residential areas. Members of the public should not leave their properties unattended since most of the crimes were committed during the night, and on our part as the police, we will increase neighbourhood patrols,” he said.
Online Reporter