POLICE RECOVER STOLEN CARS

Arron Nyamayaro

POLICE have recovered three cars which had been stolen by an Epworth man.

Simbarashe Zimhondi, 26, has been convicted of three counts of theft of motor vehicles and four counts of unlawful entry into premises.

He has been sentenced to 11 years in prison.

He appeared before a Bindura Magistrates Court.

In a statement, Criminal Investigations Department (CID) spokesperson, Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri, hailed the judiciary for the conviction of Zimhondi and appealed for information that may lead to the arrest of his accomplice Knowledge Makere, 32, of Trojan.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police expresses its heartfelt appreciation to the public and the judiciary for their invaluable support in the ongoing battle against crime and pursuit of justice for the accused persons.

“This follows the recent arrest and conviction of Simbarashe Zimhondi  of Overspill in Epworth for three counts of theft of motor vehicles and four counts of unlawful entry into premises.

“During the period extending from November 23, 2024 to January 17, 2025, Simbarashe together with his accomplice Knowledge Makere who is still at large, would target parked motor vehicles and use unknown means to start the vehicles.

“They would scale over precast walls, force entry into premises, preyed on groceries, computers, televisions, sound systems, lithium solar batteries and cellphones, among other valuables.

“Acting on a tip-off, detectives from CID Bindura arrested Simbarashe and recovered one of the stolen motor vehicles parked at his place of residence.

“Further investigations led to the recovery of the other two stolen motor vehicles and other valuables.

“He appeared at Bindura Magistrates Court where he was convicted and sentenced to 11 years imprisonment.”

Det Insp Muteweri said Tafadzwa Rwodzi, of Epworth, who was employed as a security guard, was convicted and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for theft from his employer.

Tafadzwa, together with his accomplice Kadiki, who is still at large, hatched a plan to steal from his employer.

They stole a Power Grinding Mill Diesel Engine and a Refrigerator Compressor.

“On October 28, 2024, detectives acting on information received, arrested Tafadzwa in Mbare and the Power Grinding Mill Diesel Engine was subsequently recovered.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police continues to applaud members of the public and the courts for their concerted efforts in the fight against crime,” said Det Insp Muteweri.