Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Bureau
A police officer stationed at the Gweru Police Protection Unit (PPU) has been arrested for stealing two mobile phones in Victoria Falls on two separate occasions, last week.
Thulani Sibanda (24) appeared before Victoria Falls resident magistrate Mr Gift Manyika, on Friday, where he pleaded guilty to two counts of theft. He was remanded in custody and is due back in court today for sentencing.
Representing the State, Mrs Portia Moyo told the court that in the first incident, Sibanda, who resides in Chinotimba, Victoria Falls, unlawfully took an Itel A70 mobile phone belonging to his friend.
The complainant in this case, Brian Verinyama, is a 35-year-old male residing at house number 1261 Chinotimba, Victoria Falls, and is employed as a police officer at Victoria Falls Police Station.
“Sibanda is a male adult residing at 11 New Township, Zvishavane, and is also employed as a police officer at Gweru PPU. Sibanda and the complainant are friends. On May 12, 2025, at around 7:10 PM, Sibanda visited the complainant at his lodgings. He was offered a chair and both men sat outside the house but within the yard.
“They were listening to music being played from the complainant’s Itel mobile phone. The complainant was then called into the house by his wife, leaving Sibanda alone outside with the phone,” said Mrs Moyo.
She said that when the complainant returned, he discovered that Sibanda had left with the phone. The complainant called his number and Sibanda answered, promising to return the phone the following day.
“The complainant attempted to locate Sibanda without success. By that time, Sibanda had removed the complainant’s SIM card and was no longer reachable. A police report was filed, leading to the recovery of the phone from one Mr Nyasha Samsun, who claimed to have purchased the stolen device from Sibanda,” said Mrs Moyo.
The stolen phone was valued at US$270.
In the second incident, Mrs Moyo told the court that two days later, on May 14, at Moringa Shopping Centre in Victoria Falls, Sibanda unlawfully took a Samsung Galaxy mobile phone belonging to a shopkeeper.
“The complainant in this case is employed as a shopkeeper at Moringa Shopping Centre and has no known relationship with Sibanda. On May 14, at around 6:45PM, Sibanda approached the shop where the complainant works.
“He posed as a customer waiting to be served. While the complainant was attending to other customers, Sibanda managed to steal the complainant’s mobile phone and left unnoticed. The complainant tried to locate the phone but was unsuccessful,” said Mrs Moyo.
She said that on May 15, Sibanda was arrested in connection with another theft case. During a search, he was found in possession of the stolen Samsung Galaxy. Further investigations led to the identification of the complainant as the rightful owner.
The phone, valued at US$200, was recovered.
