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Car thefts surge across Zimbabwe
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The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has issued a warning to the public over a sharp increase in motor vehicle thefts across the country, calling on motorists to exercise greater caution and take proactive measures to safeguard their vehicles.
In a statement released on June 16, 2025, police said the surge in vehicle thefts is affecting residential areas, overnight parking spaces, and locations where drivers leave their vehicles unattended with keys inside. Some incidents have also occurred after motorists gave lifts to strangers.
ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police recorded five vehicle theft cases involving six vehicles in Harare and Mashonaland West on June 12, underscoring a disturbing trend.
One notable case occurred in Avonlea, Harare, where unknown suspects broke into a company premises and stole two vehicles - a Toyota Hilux and a Mazda BT50 - along with several valuable items, including generators, refrigerators, cement, solar batteries, a digital camera, and money-counting machines. Police later recovered the Toyota Hilux and one money-counting machine, both found abandoned in Majuru Village, Kutama.
"Motorists must be cautious, vigilant, alert, secure their vehicles properly and avoid leaving car keys in unattended vehicles," Comm. Nyathi said.
He highlighted other alarming cases, including one on June 11 in Mutorashanga, where a complainant left his Honda Fit parked in a backyard with the keys inside and discovered it missing just hours later.
In Karoi, a 29-year-old man lost his Toyota Fun Cargo after he allowed an acquaintance identified as Moses Kachasu to sleep inside the vehicle. Although the complainant had taken the keys to his room, the car was gone the next morning, stolen by Kachasu who seemingly used an unknown method to start and drive the vehicle away.
Another theft occurred the same night in Ruwa's Fairview Park, where a 45-year-old man had parked and locked his Nissan Caravan in his yard. While he slept, a suspect broke into his house, stole household items, retrieved the car keys from on top of a wardrobe, and fled with the vehicle.
In a separate Harare case on June 12, a motorist parked his unlocked Honda Fit at the corner of Leopold Takawira and Samora Machel Avenue. He returned an hour later to find the car missing.
Police have urged the public to take vehicle security more seriously, avoid trusting strangers with access to their vehicles, and ensure their premises and cars are securely locked at all times.
Investigations into the reported cases are ongoing.
In a statement released on June 16, 2025, police said the surge in vehicle thefts is affecting residential areas, overnight parking spaces, and locations where drivers leave their vehicles unattended with keys inside. Some incidents have also occurred after motorists gave lifts to strangers.
ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police recorded five vehicle theft cases involving six vehicles in Harare and Mashonaland West on June 12, underscoring a disturbing trend.
One notable case occurred in Avonlea, Harare, where unknown suspects broke into a company premises and stole two vehicles - a Toyota Hilux and a Mazda BT50 - along with several valuable items, including generators, refrigerators, cement, solar batteries, a digital camera, and money-counting machines. Police later recovered the Toyota Hilux and one money-counting machine, both found abandoned in Majuru Village, Kutama.
"Motorists must be cautious, vigilant, alert, secure their vehicles properly and avoid leaving car keys in unattended vehicles," Comm. Nyathi said.
In Karoi, a 29-year-old man lost his Toyota Fun Cargo after he allowed an acquaintance identified as Moses Kachasu to sleep inside the vehicle. Although the complainant had taken the keys to his room, the car was gone the next morning, stolen by Kachasu who seemingly used an unknown method to start and drive the vehicle away.
Another theft occurred the same night in Ruwa's Fairview Park, where a 45-year-old man had parked and locked his Nissan Caravan in his yard. While he slept, a suspect broke into his house, stole household items, retrieved the car keys from on top of a wardrobe, and fled with the vehicle.
In a separate Harare case on June 12, a motorist parked his unlocked Honda Fit at the corner of Leopold Takawira and Samora Machel Avenue. He returned an hour later to find the car missing.
Police have urged the public to take vehicle security more seriously, avoid trusting strangers with access to their vehicles, and ensure their premises and cars are securely locked at all times.
Investigations into the reported cases are ongoing.
Source - online
