Pregnant teen fined for hiding phone bought with stolen cash

An 18-year-old woman has been fined US$200 or sentenced to 30 days in prison for hiding an iPhone 13 allegedly bought with money stolen during a US$135 000 housebreaking raid.

Sizzlar Gwaka was convicted by Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai of defeating or obstructing the course of justice after giving detectives false information during investigations into a break-in at Farai Mavhiya's residence in Zimre Park, Ruwa.

The court heard that on September 25, 2026, detectives from CID Highlands were tracking Darlington Simango and David Zimba, who were accused of stealing US$135 000 in cash.

Intelligence led detectives to Gwaka's residence in Ashdown Park, Harare, where they suspected that Zimba, identified in court as Gwaka's husband, had purchased an iPhone 13 using the stolen money.

However, when detectives arrived, both male suspects had fled. Gwaka allegedly denied knowing anything about the handset, prompting officers to detain her for further questioning.

On September 27, detectives received a tip-off that Gwaka had buried the phone in her garden. Officers returned to the property and recovered the device, which was later presented in court as an exhibit.

The State argued that Gwaka deliberately misled detectives about the fugitives and concealed the phone to obstruct investigations.

In passing sentence, Magistrate Kuhudzai considered that Gwaka was a first-time offender, was 18 years old and was three weeks pregnant.

The magistrate noted that the principal suspects had eventually been apprehended, meaning Gwaka's actions had delayed the course of justice rather than defeated it entirely.

However, the court warned that providing false information and concealing evidence remained serious offences. The recovered iPhone 13 was ordered to be returned to the complainant.