Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
POLICE in Bulawayo have smashed a five-man crime syndicate that has been terrorising residents in the Eastern suburbs and recovered stolen property worth more than US$75 000.
The gang, which operated over a three-month period, was led by 28-year-old John Malunga, a former gardener from Nketa 9 and his four accomplices, who have been identified as Menelis Sibanda (24) and Fungai Chinyodzi (30) from Nketa 9, Arise Moyo (29) from Emganwini and Neverson Sisapeya (42) from Pumula East.
The five allegedly broke into homes and vehicles in Malindela, Burnside, Morningside, Newtown West and Hillside suburbs between March 1 and May 17, 2025.
They allegedly used a black Honda Fit (registration number AET 7307) to transport stolen goods.
Officer-in-charge at Hillside CID, Detective Inspector Zwelihle Ndlovu said the area recorded a spike in break-ins and thefts during the gang’s crime spree.
“On Monday night, just before midnight, we received a tip-off from a vigilant Hillside resident, who noticed a suspicious black Honda Fit parked at Hillside Shopping Centre,” said Det Insp Ndlovu
He said when detectives arrived at the scene, they found two occupants in the vehicle, who failed to account for a Samsung television set found inside the car and they were arrested on the spot.
Further interrogations led police to three other suspects, resulting in raids across Emganwini and Pumula East the same night. A significant haul of stolen goods was recovered from their homes.
The following day, the suspects led officers to various locations across Bulawayo, including the city centre, Mpopoma, Magwegwe West and Nkulumane where additional stolen items were recovered from unsuspecting buyers.
Det Insp Ndlovu said the total value of the recovered property exceeds US$75 000.
The stolen items recovered and held at Hillside Police Station include 43 car batteries, five heavy-duty lithium solar batteries, two domestic solar batteries, two refrigerators, a sewing machine, two lawn mowers, three generators (including one heavy-duty unit), seven tyres, five gas tanks, a micro-balancing Sartorius machine valued at US$30 000 and two bottles of expensive whiskey.
The micro-balancing machine, used for testing gold samples, was recovered in Tsholotsho on Wednesday. It had been stolen on March 2.
One of the victims of the gang is a well-known golfer Mr Victor Rakabopa, who once employed Malunga as a gardener. During one of the break-ins, Mr Rakabopa lost two television sets, solar batteries, gas tanks and three car batteries.
His son, David expressed gratitude to the police for their swift action.
“We woke up on Sunday morning to find that intruders had cut our electric fence, forced open a door and looted several valuable items. We are extremely grateful to Hillside Police for their swift response and for managing to recover most of our stolen property,” he said.
David said the family was shocked to learn that Malunga, whom they had employed based on a recommendation, was part of the criminal gang.
Bulawayo police spokesperson, Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, urged residents to activate neighbourhood watch committees to help curb crime.
“We continue to preach the importance of active neighbourhood watch committees,” she said.
