Property worth $1,3m lost in 19 hits

 

Abel Zhakata
Senior Reporter

MUTARE residents were last week relieved following the arrest of two notorious burglars who had broken into several houses across the city and looted household property worth $1,3 million.

Phillip Matiya (43) and Emmanuel Tinotenda Murepa (33) unleashed a reign of terror that left residents feeling unsafe in their houses.

However, detectives finally arrested the duo on July 1, resulting in the closure of 19 unlawful entry cases allegedly committed in Mutare’s urban and rural districts.

A manhunt has since been launched for three remaining suspects – Farai Mabvuu, Douglas Dodzo and Tobias Domboka – who were part of the gang.

Mutare Criminal Investigation Department spokesperson, Detective Sergeant Coleen Mbato, said the suspects committed several cases that are under investigation.

“More cases are coming up and our guys are working round the clock to ensure that every case is accounted for,” he said.

On December 20 last year, one of the 19 complainants, Ms Rumbidzai Alice Dozva of Zimunya lost household property including a television, cellphones, clothes and groceries to the burglars.

On February 5, the suspects pounced again in Zimunya at Ms Charity Gutukunhuwa’s shop and stole groceries.

The suspects took advantage of the rains and used an unknown object to open the door and gain entry into the shop.

Nine days later they struck again in Zimunya at Mr Briefing Meya’s tuckshop. They stole groceries, laptops and cellphones.

On March 15, the gang went to Ms Future Mambondiani’s house in Zimunya and stole television sets, cellphones and kitchen ware.

On April 26, the gang did the same thing at Mr Arnold Gora’s homestead in Gombakomba.

A total of 14 more houses were broken into, with the suspects looting various household goods. During investigations, the suspects took the police officers to the people who had bought some of the stolen property from them. Some of the goods have since been recovered.

Detective Sergeant Mbato said on July 3, complainants were invited to view the recovered stolen property and some managed to identify their property.