Police nab serial housebreakers

Zim Now Writer

Police in Masvingo have arrested serial housebreakers who now face 15 counts of unlawful entry and theft.

CID spokesperson Detective Assistant Inspector Rachael Muteweri confirmed the arrest of Epwage Zuvaradoka, 24, of Hillview Road, Hillside in Bulawayo and Gilbert Mudhenge, 24, of Hofmeyer Village under Chief Charumbira in Masvingo.

The two wreaked havoc in and around Masvingo town between January 2021 and February 3, 2023, where they ransacked houses and business premises before getting away with electrical gadgets and other valuables.

In one of the cases that occurred on December 24, 2022, the two broke into a house and stole two laptops, a gas tank, and various clothes.

On February 3, 2023 the duo again broke into a shop in Masvingo and stole 24 cell phones valued at US$4 500.

Detectives got a tip-off that Zuvaradoka was selling cellphones suspected to have been stolen and made a follow-up, leading to his arrest.

He implicated his accomplice who was later on arrested.

“The two led to the recovery of 4 laptops, 20 boxed Itel cellphones, 6 Gtel-Pro cellphone, Hicense U964 cellphone, Sony cellphone, a car distributor, electric iron, 3 solar panels, an omega speaker and various cellphone accessories.

Mudhenge and Zuvaradoka appeared before Masvingo magistrate Elizabeth Hanzie on February 14, 2023 and the matter was remanded to February 19 for trial.

Tatenda Dzitiro prosecuted.