Motorists losing valuables in Harare parking bays
Motorists in Harare are increasingly falling victim to theft, with valuables disappearing from parked vehicles across various locations.
Businesspeople are particularly hard hit, as thieves break into cars within minutes, making off with items such as laptops, handbags, and cash.
Police are alarmed by this rising trend, noting that five theft cases were reported in just one day.
One victim, Lovemore Chitsva, 38, from Zengeza, lost a grey satchel containing a black Lenovo laptop, a test meter, and headphones valued at $1,230.
Lovemore had parked his Nissan NP300 outside the VID premises in Belvedere, entrusting his vehicle to three workers while he went inside.
When he returned, he discovered that the thief had used an unknown tool to unlock the front passenger door unnoticed.
In another incident, Willmore Makonese, 50, from Mount Hampden, lost two silver MacBook laptops worth $2,000.
He had parked his car at the corner of Herbert Chitepo Avenue and 6th Street for a brief stop to buy food.
Brendon Chiladze, 49, from Crowhill, reported the theft of his wife’s green and black handbag, containing $150 and baby supplies, after leaving his vehicle at the Hellensvale Shopping Centre while he bought meat.
Interestingly, the thief left behind a small black bag containing a 9 mm BRG pistol with a magazine of 16 rounds, which police later identified as stolen property belonging to a local resident.
Additionally, Francis Gwatiringana, 40, from Warren Park D, lost a Dell laptop, bags, office stamps, passport, hard drive, and keys worth $1,600 when he parked near the Boat House along Glenara Road in Highlands.
In an alarming case nearby, 35-year-old Same Forget Madiro from Mandara reported losing a total of $4,000 when his vehicle was broken into.
Among the stolen items was a bag containing $1,800 and a firearm—a 9 mm pistol with a magazine and a firearm certificate.
Assistant Inspector Faith Mapisa, the deputy provincial police spokesperson, confirmed these incidents and urged motorists to avoid leaving valuables in their parked cars.
“We remain concerned about the reports of theft from vehicles in one day from various locations in Harare.
“We encourage motorists to safeguard their belongings and recommend that businesses consider hiring security personnel to protect their clients’ vehicles,” she said. *_-H-Metro_*
