By Rangarirai Shanyurai
Police in Masvingo have expressed concern over the increase in reported cases of motor vehicle theft this year following reports of two motor vehicles stolen over the past weeks.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said this while confirming the recent theft of two motor vehicles that occurred on the weekend of October 18, 2024 and urged car owners to be careful.
“Cases of car theft are on the rise in Masvingo. We have a report of two vehicles that were stolen over the past few weeks though the police managed to recover them.
“On September 13, a motor vehicle was taken from Victoria Ranch and on September 20 another vehicle was stolen from the same area. Another one was stolen on October 7.
“I would like to urge car owners to put security measures in place to avoid car theft or make it easier for police to track like putting car trackers, alarms and lockable garages. Trackers will make it easier for the police to track stolen vehicles whilst alarms and locked garages scare away thieves,” said Dhewa.
He said the stolen vehicles belonged to Clayton Nyakanyanga (34) whose car was stolen along Leopold Takawira Street near Windows Hardware, valued at approximately US$4500. The other one belonged to Rashid Mutsvaire (35) that was valued US$3500 and was stolen at Mucheke Rank.
Circumstances are that on October 18 at around 1120 hours Nyakanyanga left his black Honda fit vehicle parked near Windows Hardware, Masvingo CBD while the car keys were on ignition.
Nyakanyanga went into the hardware to make a purchase, only to discover upon his return that the vehicle was missing and he reported the incident to the police.
During the investigations the police received information indicating that Tinashe Moyo (24) had been seen driving the stolen vehicle.
On the second incident, a Toyota Sedan Sprinter was stolen at Mucheke rank and was found in possession of Ephraim Chivenge (19) from Masvingo Industrial Street and Nickson Chizengwe (24) from Majange Street.
It is reported that on October 18, Mutsvaire from Zimuto Street parked his Grey Toyota Sedan Sprinter near Chifamba shop in Mucheke and locked it before going to his homestead. The following day at 0900 hours he found the vehicle missing and reported the incident.
The police received information about the two suspects at Yeukai attempting to tow another vehicle using the stolen vehicle and they were arrested.
