Sharon Jiyamwa-Herald Reporter
AN 18-year-old woman has been fined US$200 or sentenced to 30 days in prison for hiding an iPhone 13 bought with money stolen during a US$135 000 housebreaking raid.
Sizzlar Gwaka was convicted by Harare Magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai of defeating or obstructing the course of justice after providing false information to detectives investigating a break-in at Farai Mavhiya’s residence in Zimre Park, Ruwa.
The prosecution established that on September 25, 2026, detectives from CID Highlands were tracking suspects Darlington Simango and David Zimba, who allegedly stole US$135 000 in cash.
Intelligence led officers to Gwaka’s residence in Ashdown Park, Harare, where they suspected Zimba—identified as Gwaka’s husband—had purchased an iPhone 13 using the stolen funds.
Upon arrival, detectives found that both male suspects had already fled. When questioned, Gwaka denied knowledge of the handset, prompting officers to detain her for further interrogation.
On 27 September, detectives received a tip-off that Gwaka had buried the phone on her property. Officers returned to the house and recovered the iPhone 13 from the garden. The device was subsequently produced in court as an exhibit.
The State argued that Gwaka deliberately provided false information regarding the fugitives and hid the phone to stymie the police investigation.
In passing sentence, Magistrate Kuhudzai took into account that Gwaka was a first-time offender, 18 years old, and three weeks pregnant.
The magistrate noted that because the principal suspects were eventually apprehended, Gwaka’s actions merely delayed justice rather than defeating it entirely. However, the court warned that such conduct remains a serious offence. The recovered iPhone 13 was ordered to be returned to the complainant.
