Police in Bulawayo have advised the public to adopt target-hardening techniques to secure their homes and utilize the house-under-supervision scheme available at all police stations in the country.
The call was made by Acting Spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Bulawayo Province, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, following the arrests of two men, John Chari (34) and Ntandoyenkosi Mpofu (24), both from Matshobane, Bulawayo, in connection with a case of unlawful entry and theft.
According to Msebele, sometime in August 2024, the complainant, a 57-year-old male from Matshobane, left his house to visit his rural home in Plumtree.
He allegedly left his property under the custody of a caretaker, who was responsible for checking the house twice a week but was not residing there. Said Msebele (via <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/adopt-target-hardening-techniques-police-urge-public/">Chronicle</a>):
<blockquote>
On 02 January 2025 at around 0300 hours, the two accused persons proceeded to the complainant’s place of residence and forcibly opened the backdoor and gained entry into the house.
Whilst in the house the accused persons stole various household properties which included TVs, gas cylinders, laptops, suitcases and speakers.
</blockquote>
Chari and Mpofu allegedly used an unknown motor vehicle to transport the stolen property, which they then divided among themselves and kept at their respective residences.
Msebele said on the same day, the police received information about the accused’s whereabouts. Acting on the tip-off, they arrested Chari, who during the interview implicated Mpofu. This led to the recovery of some of the stolen property at their residences.
The complainant was notified and positively identified his property. The total value of the stolen items was estimated at US$7,000, with US$5,800 worth of property recovered. She added:
<blockquote>
As police, we urge the community to use target hardening techniques in their homes by putting burglar bars and security screen doors.
People are advised to communicate with their neighbours when leaving, practising a watch my back I watch your back theory and also utilise the house under a supervision scheme which is available at all police stations.
</blockquote>
In criminology, target hardening refers to the strategies and measures implemented to make potential targets of crime more difficult to access or attack.
The goal is to reduce opportunities for crime by enhancing physical security features and increasing the perceived risk of detection for offenders.
This approach can deter property crimes such as burglary, theft, and vandalism by making it harder for criminals to succeed.
Examples of target hardening measures include installing better locks, security cameras, improved lighting, and alarm systems.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Police in Bulawayo are telling people to make their homes harder for thieves to enter. Two men were arrested for breaking into a man’s house and stealing things. The police say people should put burglar bars and strong doors on their homes to protect themselves. They also say people should talk to their neighbors when they leave their house to keep an eye out for each other. This can help stop crimes like stealing. Making it harder for thieves to get in can make them go somewhere else instead. Target hardening means making it tough for criminals to break into homes and steal things.

Police Recommend Target-Hardening Techniques For Homeowners

A 28-year-old man from Nyanga broke into a bar and guzzled three bottles of whisky, became intoxicated and passed out inside the shop.
The burglar, Dickson Simango, was found asleep in the bar by the owner in the morning, leading to his arrest.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said Simango was convicted and sentenced by the Nyanga Magistrates’ Court for unlawful entry charges. It said:
<blockquote>
On the 11th of April 2024 at around 0200hrs, the accused person gained entry into a bar Nyamhuka 2 in Nyanga by removing an asbestos sheet and a portion of the ceiling. He stole an assortment of food items and alcohol.
During the commission of the offence, he drank three 750ml bottles of whisky and ate 2 by 250 grams of tinned beef with a total value of $43,50.
He became intoxicated and passed out in the shop where he was found by the owner in the morning, leading to his arrest. The total value of the stolen items is USD266,80 and the recovered value is USD183,50.
</blockquote>
Simango was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment of which 3 months were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
Of the remaining 9 months one month was suspended on condition that the accused person restitutes a sum of US$83,30.
He will serve 8 months effectively.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Thief Drinks 3 Bottles Of Whisky At Crime Scene, Passes Out

A convicted burglar who was performing community service at Mutare Magistrates’ Court stole a magistrate’s phone and was later caught shoplifting from Pick n Pay Supermarket.
As reported by <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/unrepentant-thief-steals-magistrates-phone/">The Manica Post</a>, Tanaka Svosve of Chikanga Phase Two in Mutare was convicted of unlawful entry into premises when he appeared before Mutare provincial magistrate, Tendai Mahwe recently.
Prosecutor Mazvita Kadenha told the court that on 20 February 2024, at Mutare Magistrates’ Court, Svosve who was doing community service there, broke into the regional magistrate’s office and stole a cellphone.
Svosve allegedly took advantage of regional magistrate, Phatekhile Msipa’s absence and stole from her office.
Msipa was in court when Svosve stole the cellphone. Said Kadenha:
<blockquote>
Svosve opened the main entrance door which led to the reception and entered the reception area.
While inside, Svosve opened another closed door which was not locked and entered into the regional magistrate’s office.
He stole a Samsung S10 Plus cellphone which was on the table and went away unnoticed.
</blockquote>
Msipa later discovered the offence and reported the matter at Mutare Central Police Station.
It is further alleged that on that same day, Svosve was arrested by security guards at Pick n Pay Supermarket for shoplifting and was brought to Mutare Central Police Station.
Upon detention, Svosve was searched and Msipa’s cellphone was recovered in his socks.
Police officers asked Svosve to unlock the phone but failed and Sergeant Arizona who was on duty became suspicious.
She checked her records and noticed that Magistrate Msipa had made a report of a stolen phone earlier on.
Sergeant Arizona invited Msipa to the police station and she positively identified her stolen phone.
The total value of the stolen phone is US$130 and it was recovered.
Svosve was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment for stealing from the regional magistrate’s office and 20 days imprisonment for shoplifting from TM Supermarket.
The four months that had been suspended earlier on in a case that saw him doing community service were then brought into effect.
He is now serving an effective 34 months and 20 days in jail.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Unrepentant Thief Steals Magistrate’s Phone, Caught Shoplifting At A Supermarket

An unknown man broke into a house in Pumula, Bulawayo, on Sunday night before raping and robbing a 17-year-old occupant.
The intruder was armed with a knife and a half brick and threatened the victim. He demanded cash, and proceeded to sexually assault her.
ZRP spokesperson in Bulawayo Province, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, confirmed the incident to the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/burglar-rapes-robs-teen/">Chronicle</a>. She said:
<blockquote>
On the 9th of July 2023 at around 10PM, the complainant retired to bed after securing everything and closing all windows.
At around 4:30 AM, she was awakened by footsteps of the accused person who was walking inside the house she torched with her phone and saw the accused person who was putting on black clothes, armed with a knife and a half brick.
The complainant tried to scream but the accused person threatened to harm her.
</blockquote>
Asst Insp Msebele said the suspect demanded cash and raped the girl once when she said she didn’t have any money.
The assailant then took the victim’s Itel cellphone and jumped out through the window.
Asst Insp Msebele implored members of the public to use target hardening techniques such as the installation of window and door burglar bars to make it difficult for intruders to break in.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Burglar Rapes, Robs Teenager (17)

Three burglars recently broke into two senior police officers’ houses in Rusape in broad daylight while they were at work.
The trio of George Makwela(35), Collen Rukweza (30) and Peter Angelino (42) — all from Rusape — stole goods and cash worth thousands of dollars from the police officers’ homes.
The three, who had no legal representation, appeared before magistrate Gift Manyika, who denied them bail and remanded them in custody.
The affected cops are the Officer Commanding Rusape and Nyanga District (CID), Detective Superintendent Shepard Tachiona and Rusape District’s Superintendent Collence Nyamukuta.
Public prosecutor, Tawanda Munjanja said the trio took advantage of the police officers’ absence to break into their houses in different locations of Rusape. He said:
<blockquote>On May 31, Superintendent Nyamukuta left home for work and the accused persons took advantage of his absence to break into his house and steal a laptop and US$200.
The complainant discovered the theft around 5 pm when he returned home from work.
On June 17, Detective Superintendent Tachiona left for work. One of the windowpanes was covered by chipboard and supported by a wooden shelf that was inside.
The trio removed the chipboard and wooden shelf and gained entry. They stole blankets, a gas tank and a 20-litre jerry can.</blockquote>
Investigations done led to the arrest of Makwela, Rukweza and Angelino on 30 June.
The value of the stolen property is $54 400 and property worth $40 375 has been recovered so far, some of it from buyers.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/police-chiefs-robbed/">Manica Post</a></h4>

Burglars Target Police Chiefs In Broad Daylight

A 27-year-old man from Gutu District, Masvingo Province, has been arrested for allegedly breaking into homes and stealing valuables under the cover of a ghost costume.
Norman Chagwiza from Madzivo Village under Chief Gutu was arrested on Wednesday after he was caught stealing solar panels at a homestead in Gutu while wearing a ghost costume.
Chagwiza allegedly used the costume to scare away his victims before stealing their property.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa told ZTN that the suspect appeared in court on Thursday facing theft charges. Said Insp Dhewa:
<blockquote>The suspect is now before the courts. Allegations are that on Wednesday he went to Mupambiwa Village where he stole a step ladder and went to another homestead where he intended to steal solar panels.
While he was in the act of removing the panels from the roof the owner of the house woke up and checked outside and found a “ghost” jumping from the roof.</blockquote>
The house owner gave chase and apprehended the suspect before calling the police.
Inspector Dhewa said this was the first time they had received such a report of the ghost thief.
<h4>More: <a href="https://ztn.co.zw/stream/2021/05/gutu-ghost-robber-unmasked/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">ZTN</a></h4>

Thieving Gutu 'Ghost' Unmasked

Residents of Damofalls have expressed concern over the rise in burglary cases in the area.
Burglars are reportedly using the same method of cutting burglar bars and are targeting television sets mostly.
A burglar was recently caught on Closed-circuit television (CCTV) breaking into a house in Damofalls and stealing a television set.
See the video and pictures of the burglar below:
<div class="wp-video" style="width: 640px;">
<video class="wp-video-shortcode" controls="controls" height="352" id="video-201562-1" preload="metadata" width="640"><source src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Burglar-caught-on-camera-stealing-a-TV-set-in-Damofalls-recently.mp4?_=1" type="video/mp4"/><a href="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Burglar-caught-on-camera-stealing-a-TV-set-in-Damofalls-recently.mp4">https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Burglar-caught-on-camera-stealing-a-TV-set-in-Damofalls-recently.mp4</a></video></div>
<img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-201564 size-large" decoding="async" height="853" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Burglar-1-768x1024.jpeg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Burglar-1-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Burglar-1-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Burglar-1.jpeg 810w" width="640"/> <img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-201565 size-large" decoding="async" height="853" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Burglar-2-768x1024.jpeg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Burglar-2-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Burglar-2-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Burglar-2.jpeg 810w" width="640"/> <img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-201566 size-large" decoding="async" height="853" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Burglar-3-768x1024.jpeg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Burglar-3-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Burglar-3-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Burglar-3.jpeg 810w" width="640"/> <img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-201567 size-large" decoding="async" height="853" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Burglar-4-768x1024.jpeg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Burglar-4-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Burglar-4-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Burglar-4.jpeg 810w" width="640"/>

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