MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU—Police have recovered six stolen vehicles in Gweru within three weeks, raising strong suspicion of a coordinated car theft syndicate targeting small vehicles in the Midlands capital.
Midlands police acting spokesperson, Mollidias Zivuku, said all the recovered vehicles were Honda Fit models, mostly old shapes, stolen between March 26 and April 16 from suburbs including Ascot Extension, Mtapa and Old Ascot.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is informing the public on the recovery of six motor vehicles which were stolen in Gweru,” Zivuku said.
The vehicles, predominantly blue and silver Honda Fit units were recovered in different parts of the city, including the central business district, Ridgemont, Riverside and Pfende plots, in some cases within 24 hours of being stolen.
In one instance, a vehicle stolen in Mtapa on March 28 was recovered in the city centre the following day, while another taken from Old Ascot on April 16 was found near Cecil Hotel on the same day.
Police pegged the total value of the recovered vehicles to US$20 000.
The clustering of thefts involving the same vehicle model and within a confined geographic area has heightened fears of an organised syndicate preying on easily movable and high-demand cars.
Authorities have not yet confirmed arrests linked to the recoveries.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities, a Kwekwe man lost his vehicle in broad daylight after leaving it unattended with keys in the ignition.
Zivuku said the complainant, Pruate Muteveri, parked his silver Toyota Allion outside his yard in Fitchlea yesterday around midday.
“He intended to return shortly, but after about 30 minutes, he discovered that the vehicle had been stolen,” Zivuku said.
The car, valued at US$5 000, remains missing.
Police have urged motorists to exercise caution, warning that negligence such as leaving vehicles unlocked or with keys inside is fuelling theft cases.
“We appeal to members of the public with information that may lead to the recovery of stolen vehicles and arrest of suspects to report at any nearest police station,” Zivuku said.
