Gardener masterminds Hillside break-ins

A cunning housebreaking syndicate that terrorised residents of Bulawayo's affluent Hillside suburb for nearly three months has been brought to its knees, thanks to swift police action and a vigilant community member. The criminal operation, led by a former gardener, resulted in one of the most dramatic sting operations in recent memory, with stolen property valued at over US$75,000 recovered within 24 hours.

The unlikely mastermind behind the syndicate has been identified as John Malinga, who once worked as a gardener for one of the victims, Victor Rakabopa. Rakabopa's home was among several that were targeted by the gang, which made off with items such as television sets, solar batteries, gas tanks, and car batteries during their reign of terror between March and mid-May.

According to Detective Inspector Zwelihle Ndlovu, Hillside had experienced a concerning spike in housebreakings and vehicle-related thefts, prompting increased police surveillance and community alerts. That vigilance paid off just before midnight on May 19, when a resident noticed a suspicious black Honda Fit parked at Hillside Shopping Centre. Police responded immediately, searching the vehicle and discovering two Samsung television sets inside. The occupants failed to provide a satisfactory explanation, leading to their arrest.

The suspects' subsequent interrogation proved to be a breakthrough. With the syndicate's guard down, police launched a series of coordinated raids that yielded a staggering amount of stolen property  -  ranging from heavy-duty equipment to household electronics and even luxury liquor. Among the recovered items were dozens of car and solar batteries, refrigerators, lawn mowers, generators, tyres, a sewing machine, and even a high-precision Sartorius machine used for weighing.

Residents were left stunned not only by the volume of goods recovered, but also by the identity of the alleged ringleader. Malinga, once a trusted domestic worker, had allegedly used his inside knowledge of residents' routines and property layouts to facilitate the thefts. For many in the neighbourhood, the revelation felt like a personal betrayal.

"This guy used to cut our grass… now he was clearing out our homes," said one shocked neighbour.

Police believe the syndicate operated with military-like precision, hiding stolen goods at different residences and using discreet vehicles to transport the loot. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities suspect the gang may be linked to additional thefts across the city.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is urging residents who recently experienced burglaries or thefts in Hillside to visit the local station, where the growing cache of recovered goods is being documented. As the community breathes a sigh of relief, officials are commending the swift response and cooperation that led to the syndicate's dramatic takedown.

For now, a sense of justice has returned to Hillside  -  and the former gardener who became a menace is facing the full weight of the law.