News / National
Usher caught on CCTV stealing Ministry camera at high level conference
31 May 2025 at 13:40hrs | Views
A 23-year-old man who was performing ushering duties during a high-level government conference in Victoria Falls has been arrested and appeared in court after being caught on CCTV stealing a high-end camera belonging to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development.
Panashe Tirivanhu, of Hatcliff Extension in Harare, was working under an ushering company contracted for the event at Elephant Hills Hotel. He appeared before Victoria Falls Magistrate Ms Linda Dzvene on Thursday, where he pleaded guilty to theft charges. He was remanded in custody to Friday for sentencing.
According to the prosecution, represented by Mrs Portia Moyo, the theft occurred on May 27, 2025, during the course of the conference.
"The complainant in this case is the Ministry of Transport, represented by Rejoice Makoni (35), a communications manager at the ministry," Mrs Moyo told the court.
"At around 2PM, Makoni left his workstation in the conference room to go for lunch, leaving a black Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera, serial number 043021010329, on the desk. The accused then approached the desk and took the camera, which he later hid in the wardrobe of his lodge accommodation."
The camera, valued at US$1,700, was reported missing by Makoni shortly after the incident. Police investigations, aided by Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage, identified Tirivanhu as the perpetrator. He was arrested, and the stolen camera was recovered in full.
Tirivanhu is expected to be sentenced on Friday.
Panashe Tirivanhu, of Hatcliff Extension in Harare, was working under an ushering company contracted for the event at Elephant Hills Hotel. He appeared before Victoria Falls Magistrate Ms Linda Dzvene on Thursday, where he pleaded guilty to theft charges. He was remanded in custody to Friday for sentencing.
According to the prosecution, represented by Mrs Portia Moyo, the theft occurred on May 27, 2025, during the course of the conference.
"The complainant in this case is the Ministry of Transport, represented by Rejoice Makoni (35), a communications manager at the ministry," Mrs Moyo told the court.
"At around 2PM, Makoni left his workstation in the conference room to go for lunch, leaving a black Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera, serial number 043021010329, on the desk. The accused then approached the desk and took the camera, which he later hid in the wardrobe of his lodge accommodation."
The camera, valued at US$1,700, was reported missing by Makoni shortly after the incident. Police investigations, aided by Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage, identified Tirivanhu as the perpetrator. He was arrested, and the stolen camera was recovered in full.
Tirivanhu is expected to be sentenced on Friday.
Source - Chronicle
