Online Reporter
Liberty Dube
Weekender Correspondent
UNITED Baptist Church (UBC) Chikanga Phase One was recently struck by thieves who made off with musical equipment in a daring break-in carried out under the cover of darkness and heavy rain.
The incident has left worshippers shaken, serving as a bitter reminder that crime spares no place — not even the house of God.
Congregants expressed shock and concern over the breach, raising urgent questions about security in the area.
The church, long regarded as a sanctuary of peace and solace, was violated when unknown assailants smashed doors and stole valuable equipment, leaving members reeling from the audacity of the burglary.
Community members have rallied in support of the church, calling for stronger security measures to prevent similar incidents. Police have launched investigations, but no arrests have been made to date.
According to church leaders, the thieves forced entry by smashing the main entrance with bricks and metal objects.
Once inside, they reportedly moved with precision, targeting specific items and even accessing secluded areas near the pulpit.
The stolen property reads like a sound engineer’s inventory list: one amplifier, a crossover, 10 patch cables, seven microphone cables, three power cables, a back-to-back router cable, a keyboard power pack, and a cordless microphone.
UBC Chikanga vice chairman, Alick Murombo, said the manner in which the theft was executed suggests the perpetrators were not amateurs — and possibly not strangers to the church.
“We are saddened to advise you that the United Baptist Church – Chikanga Assembly Mutare had a break-in and its musical instruments were stolen. The thieves smashed the main entrance and used bolt cutters on keys that were inside, opening one of the three main doors. They went straight into the office and took away specific items. What worries us most is that they even rolled off the carpet near the pulpit to access a secluded place. That is not something a random person would know,” he said.
Murombo further suggested that the thieves may have been searching for cash, a common misconception about churches.
“We think these thieves know a lot about our church. It is likely that some of them may have attended services before. We have heard of similar break-ins at our church branches in Chipinge, and while we thank God that some stolen property was recovered in Checheche, this incident leaves us deeply concerned. Looking forward, we need assistance from the community so that together we can combat crime of this nature,” he added.
The incident has underscored the vulnerability of places of worship and the need for heightened vigilance. For many congregants, the theft was not just a loss of property but an attack on their spiritual home.
As investigations continue, the church and its members are appealing for community solidarity and stronger security measures to safeguard sacred spaces.
The church has since appealed to members of the public to be on the lookout for the stolen items, especially any musical equipment being sold cheaply or outside normal channels, and to report such information to the police or church leadership.
Adding another layer to the mystery is the timing of the break-in, Partson Dzungurumwa, who resides at the church premises, believes the thieves carefully chose their moment.
“That night the rains were very heavy, and they took advantage of that. With the sound of the rain, it was easy for them to break doors without attracting attention. I think they believed the church had more valuables, maybe even cash,” he said, adding that security at the church has since been tightened following the incident.
“We have now upgraded some of the security systems by adding screen doors before the stronger doors.
“There was also a tent from the city that had been brought here for safekeeping by the women’s group after thieves earlier on broke into our main branch in town. Unfortunately, even here we were not spared. Some doors were broken and even a truck containing musical equipment was damaged,” he said.
When The Weekender visited the church site on Tuesday morning, visible signs of the break-in remained such as broken doors, damaged locks and an uneasy silence where music once filled the sanctuary.
Police confirmed that investigations are underway, and have urged residents to remain vigilant.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said stealing from a place of worship, is both criminal and disturbing.
“We urge members of the public to exercise extreme caution and to report any suspicious activities, particularly the sale of musical equipment under unclear circumstances.
“Churches, like any other institutions, can be targeted and are not spared due to the perception that they are easy to access or lightly guarded. Criminals take advantage of quiet environments, poor lighting and the assumption that places of worship are safe,” he said.
He encouraged church authorities to improve security measures, including proper locking systems, alarms and community patrols.
He added that anyone found in possession of stolen property will face the full wrath of the law.
Bongani Ndlovu