3 cops arrested for stealing uniforms

Three police officers who allegedly stole uniforms from their workplace were on Thursday remanded out of custody by Harare magistrate Artwell Sanyatwe.

The accused - Tabani Bajila (43), Makomborero Dziva (31), and Sadet Cader (37) - were each granted US$150 bail pending trial.

According to the State, the trio took advantage of their access to the ZRP Ordinance Stores, where police uniforms are kept, and systematically stole the clothing over an extended period, allegedly reselling them and sharing the profits.

It is alleged that between 2024 and October 2025, the three conspired to steal uniforms from the storeroom. Cader would reportedly receive the stolen items and sell them.

The matter came to light after an informant reported a case of unlawful entry at the Police General Headquarters on October 13. Detectives from the CID Suspects Division in Harare launched an investigation and discovered that Sergeant Masceline Chirambadare of ZRP Camp and Hostels, Chitungwiza, was in possession of a satchel containing seven new grey police shirts suspected to have been stolen.

The detectives interviewed Chirambadare, who indicated that the satchel had been given to a colleague, Constable Manyika, by Junior Chihambakwe, who was driving a Nissan AD Van on October 16.

Chihambakwe reportedly told investigators that on October 14, he had transported two uniformed police officers from the city to Chitungwiza New Camp, each carrying a satchel of uniforms. Upon arrival, one officer allegedly forgot his satchel, which was later recovered.

Further investigations revealed that Dziva and Cader later tried to claim ownership of the satchel.

On October 27, Dziva was arrested and admitted during questioning that he had handed the recovered uniforms to Cader, which he had received from Bajila, who is the member-in-charge in Chitungwiza.

Police allege that the thefts had been occurring gradually, with small quantities of uniforms disappearing over time.

After learning about the investigation, Dziva reportedly phoned Cader, warning him to move the stolen shirts from ZRP Harare Central to avoid suspicion. However, in the process of relocating the uniforms, Cader allegedly forgot them in Chihambakwe's vehicle, leading to their recovery.

The case was remanded to a later date for trial.