Statement by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi on robbery cases involving theft of motor vehicles by suspects posing as genuine transport seekers.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police is concerned with robbery cases where some motorists are falling prey to criminals posing as genuine transport seekers across the country.
Some of the motorists are losing vehicles to criminals after leaving vehicles unattended with keys on the ignition ports.
On 4th November 2022 at around 1900 hours, a 34-year-old man lost a Honda Fit vehicle registration number AFT 2657, a DSTV decoder, 13 cellphones, seven (07) power banks and personal documents, to two unknown male suspects after he had offered them a lift at Corner Chinhoyi Street and Robert Mugabe Road, Harare, on the pretext that they were going to Marimba, Harare.
Along the way, at Rugare traffic lights, the suspects attacked the complainant and stole his valuables and the vehicle. They then made a U-turn and later dumped the complainant in Msasa.
On 5th November 2022 at about 2015 hours, a 27-year-old man offered a lift to two unknown male suspects who purported to be going to Chinhoyi at Westgate in Harare.
Upon arrival at the 113 km peg along Harare-Chirundu Road, the suspects asked to be dropped off.
They then attacked the complainant and stole US$3 600-00 cash and a Honda Fit vehicle registration number AFY 4575.
On 6th November 2022 at around 0340 hours, a 22-year-old Bulawayo taxi driver was hired by two unknown suspects from Bulawayo Central Business District to Nhliziyo Shopping Centre, Entumbane.
On arrival at the shopping centre, the suspects ordered the complainant to park at a certain house.
They then attacked the complainant and robbed him of a Honda Fit vehicle registration number AFD 8145, a cellphone and US$100 cash.
On 6th November 2022 at around 0200 hours, a 45-year-old man had an altercation with five men who were in a BMW car at Cosmopolitan Race Course, Ascot, Bulawayo.
He then parked his Honda Fit vehicle registration number AFO 5439 and charged towards the BMW vehicle leaving his car keys on the ignition port.
An unknown suspect came and stole the car and drove off while the complainant was confronting the five men in a BMW vehicle.
In another case, Police are investigating a case of theft of a motor vehicle that occurred on 4th November 2022 at a car park in Warren Park, Harare, where a woman (30) had left a Toyota Wish vehicle registration number AEL 2656 for safekeeping. The complainant came back the next morning and found the car missing.
Meanwhile, on 5th November 2022, Police in Chinhoyi arrested Jealous Thomas Musariri (43) in connection with two counts of murder that occurred at Riverside, Chinhoyi on 29th September 2022.
The suspect allegedly stabbed Tinashe Nyanguwo (36) and Joshua Kadungure (37) to death, after a misunderstanding.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges motorists to be alert and stop giving lifts to strangers in their vehicles no matter the circumstances or situation.