Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
A DARING Rusape serial thief, who went on housebreaking spree and broke into 11 houses where he stole cellphones, lap tops and cash worth over US$4,000, has been jailed.
Peter Sanyamahwe (20) of ZBS 2224 Vengere, appeared in court facing 11 counts of unlawful entry into premises in aggravating circumstances.
Sanyamahwe, who was not legally represented, pleaded guilty to all the counts when he appeared before Rusape magistrate Tendai Mahwe.
Mahwe convicted him of the offence and sentenced him to 18 months’ imprisonment.
Six months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
He will serve 12 effective months.
Prosecutor Faith Mutukuwa said:
“On May 5, 2026, Sanyamahwe went to Nyarai Dube’s house at 3565 Garikai, opened the closing sitting room window and fishing out five cellphones using a hook stick and went away unnoticed.
“The following day Dube noticed that her cellphones were missing and she then proceeded to Vengere Musika to check her stolen cellphones and she coincidentally saw the accused person selling her stolen cellphones.
“Dube the phoned detectives from CID Rusape, who then came to arrest Sanyamahwe and took him to the police station together with the recovered cellphones.
“The total value stolen was US$415 and all was recovered.” Mutukwa said upon further questioning, Sanyamahwe revealed other 10 cases of unlawful entry he had committed.
He led police to the houses and showed them how he had committed the offences.
“On the date unknown to the prosecutor but during the month of April 2026, the accused broke into Liberty Musesengwa’s house and stole a cellphone and blue tooth speaker.
“The cellphone, valued at US$100, was not recovered and the speaker, valued at US$40, was recovered.
“On February 11 2026, Sanyamahwe proceeded to Normore Chin’ono’s house and took advantage that Chin’ono was asleep and broke the bedroom door.
“He stole three cellphones valued at US$350 and nothing was recovered.
“On January 19, 2026, the accused proceeded to Florence Griya’s house during the night and took advantage of the unlocked door and stole two cellphones, a tablet and a laptop valued at US$555 and nothing was recovered.”
Mutukwa added:
“On April 13, 2026, the accused fished out Patricia Chiunya’s cellphone valued at US$85 using a hook stick and nothing was recovered.
“In February, 2026, Sanyamahwe went to Caroline Mahoma’s house and took advantage that she was fast asleep and opened the closed bedroom window and fished out two cellphones valued at US$130 and nothing was recovered.
“During the same month, he did the same to Lynet Chipfamata and stole two cellphones valued at US$100 and nothing was recovered.
Sanyamandwe continued with his modus operandi breaking into more houses.”
Bongani Ndlovu