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Chipinge trio jailed for theft of car
19 Feb 2026 at 06:55hrs |
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Three men from Chipinge in Manicaland have been convicted of stealing a motor vehicle after they sold the car as scrap metal for just US$200.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the Chipinge Magistrates’ Court found Frank Tinotenda Bheri (18), Robert Pfaera (18) and Munashe Chikonde (21) guilty of stealing an Isuzu KB 280 double cab belonging to a local resident.
On 5 December 2025, Bheri led Pfaera and Chikonde to the victim’s home while the owner was away in Harare. The trio conspired to steal the vehicle and later attempted to dispose of it by selling it as scrap metal. Bheri initiated the sale at a local company, and the three falsely claimed they were acting on behalf of their family. Chikonde posed as the witness required to confirm the transaction.
The vehicle was sold for US$200.
The crime came to light when the victim’s colleague visited the house for routine checks and discovered the vehicle missing. A police report was filed immediately, leading to the arrest of the trio.
Bheri, a first offender, was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, with four years suspended, leaving him to serve two years. Pfaera received six years, with three suspended, leaving three years effective. Chikonde was sentenced to six years, with one year suspended, and will serve four years.
The NPAZ urged communities, particularly young people, to channel their energy into lawful and productive activities, reminding the public that criminality should never be a way of life.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the Chipinge Magistrates’ Court found Frank Tinotenda Bheri (18), Robert Pfaera (18) and Munashe Chikonde (21) guilty of stealing an Isuzu KB 280 double cab belonging to a local resident.
On 5 December 2025, Bheri led Pfaera and Chikonde to the victim’s home while the owner was away in Harare. The trio conspired to steal the vehicle and later attempted to dispose of it by selling it as scrap metal. Bheri initiated the sale at a local company, and the three falsely claimed they were acting on behalf of their family. Chikonde posed as the witness required to confirm the transaction.
The crime came to light when the victim’s colleague visited the house for routine checks and discovered the vehicle missing. A police report was filed immediately, leading to the arrest of the trio.
Bheri, a first offender, was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, with four years suspended, leaving him to serve two years. Pfaera received six years, with three suspended, leaving three years effective. Chikonde was sentenced to six years, with one year suspended, and will serve four years.
The NPAZ urged communities, particularly young people, to channel their energy into lawful and productive activities, reminding the public that criminality should never be a way of life.
Source - Byo24news
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