23-Year-Old Man Jailed for Stealing Police Vehicle in Chinhoyi
A 23-year-old man has been sentenced to an effective 12 months in prison after unlawfully stealing a Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) vehicle from Chemagamba Police Camp in Chinhoyi.
Godfrey Musa Ndlovu was convicted by the Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to the offence, which the court described as a serious abuse of trust involving State property.
Also Read: Children Aged 12 To 16 Arrested For US$10,000 Housebreaking Spree In Bulawayo
Offence Committed During Early-Morning Trip
The incident occurred on December 7, 2025, at around 5am, when a ZRP officer was preparing to travel to Mutoko using a silver Kia Rio police vehicle.
Ndlovu, who is related to the officer’s neighbour, asked for a lift into Chinhoyi town. The officer agreed and allowed him to load his belongings into the vehicle.
However, before departure, the officer briefly returned to his residence to collect a cellphone, inadvertently leaving the vehicle keys inside his jacket on the seat.
Suspect Flees With Vehicle
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ndlovu retrieved the keys and drove off at high speed.
Police later received a tip-off and tracked him down near Thrills Service Station, where he was intercepted while travelling in an unregistered taxi, commonly known as a mushikashika.
Stolen Vehicle Recovered, But Damaged
Following his arrest, Ndlovu led officers to Ruvimbo Phase 2 in Chinhoyi, where the stolen police vehicle was recovered.
The vehicle, valued at US$6,000, had been tampered with — its registration plates were removed, the third plate altered, the police radio disconnected, and the communication aerial damaged. The missing registration plates, worth US$650, were never recovered.
Court Hands Down Sentence
The court sentenced Ndlovu to 30 months’ imprisonment, with 18 months suspended on condition of good behaviour. This left him with an effective 12-month custodial sentence.
In delivering judgment, the court emphasised that State property is protected by law and warned that abuse of trust and unlawful conduct would attract severe penalties.
Flipcash is Your Trusted PayPal & Crypto Exchange Partner in Zimbabwe — WhatsApp +263 77 163 9263
The post 23-Year-Old Jailed After Stealing Police Vehicle in Chinhoyi appeared first on iHarare News.
