Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Mutare Bureau
Police in Mutare have arrested a man, who allegedly hired a vehicle and later disappeared with it in the company of his girlfriend while the vehicle owner was busy attending to meat on a braai stand.
All Masiye (30) of 1555 Hobhouse allegedly stole a grey Honda Jazz registration number AFL 5662 owned by Tanaka Chiyadzwa after hiring his services. Masiye who was in the company of his unnamed girlfriend were driven to Chikanga suburb where the three had a braai.
Acting Manicaland police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the matter and said while Chiyadzwa was busy attending to the meat on the braai stand Masiye and his girlfriend allegedly vanished with car. Masiye was apprehended the following day with car in Mutare.
“On August 14 2026 at around 9am Masiye hired Chiyadzwa’s vehicle in Mutare Central Business District on an undisclosed amount of money alleging that he wanted to proceed to Chikanga and Chiyadzwa agreed. Upon reaching TM Business Centre in Chikanga Masiye met his girlfriend. The three sat in Chiyadzwa’s motor vehicle was their meat was on the braai stand.
“Chiyadzwa later on proceeded to the braai stand to check on their meat leaving Masiye and his girlfriend inside the vehicle with the vehicle keys on ignition. On his, way back to the place where he had left his vehicle parked Masiye discovered that his vehicle was no longer at the place including Chiyadzwa and his girlfriend.
“At first he assumed that Masiye and his girlfriend had gone somewhere to have quality time and were to return to the place within a few minutes. Chiyadzwa waited for Masiye and his girlfriend at the place up to 10 pm but Masiye never came back with the vehicle. He tried to conduct him through his mobile number but it was unreachable and he then decided to go to his home.
“Chiyadzwa reported the matter to ZRP Chikanga on August 15 2026. On the same date from around 9am to 5pm the stolen motor vehicle was seen parked in Gimboki area near Marori Tuck shops whilst Masiye was inside the vehicle and members of the public who live around the area became suspicious and reported to police.
“Masiye was arrested and the vehicle was recovered from him and he is assisting police with investigations. Total value stole is US$3 800 and all was recovered,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
