By Takudzwa Josiah
Police in Zvishavane has arrested a 21-year-old man in connection with a spate of unlawful entry and theft cases in the mining.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police said the crimes occurred between January and April 2022 and the arrest led to the recovery of stolen property valued at US$4 224-00.
It identified the suspect as Norman Phiri an ex-convict who served 6 months at Zvishavane Prison for Unlawful Entry and theft, he was released in December 2020.
The Police highlighted that the suspect has so far been linked to seven cases of Unlawful Entry and theft were Fungai Dube (56), Dorcas Nkomo (44), Sibonile Wankandwa (36), Vimbai Takavingofa (36), Moreblesing Mafirenyika (24), Cute Kadahwayi (26), Simango Renias (31) were the victims.
The victims are all females resident in Zvishavane and the property stolen has a combined value of US$6 177-00.
The Police said the suspect was “disposing of his loot by selling it to unsuspecting members of the public in Zvishavane, Chipinge, and Chimanimani, from where some of it was recovered by detectives”.
The recovered property has since been positively identified by its owners. It comprises cellphones, television sets, laptops an amplifier, and a gas cylinder.
The ZRP said the “Development in these cases raises the need for members of the public to help in monitoring activities of recently released prisoners and reporting any anti-social behavior they notice to the police.”
It also urged “people who buy second-hand goods should first have them cleared by the police” as “blind acquisitions can lead to arrests for possessing stolen property and financial losses.”
