HARARE
–
At
least
11
vehicles
were
stolen
in
Zimbabwe
in
a
single
day,
prompting
police
to
issue
a
warning
to
motorists
over
the
growing
trend
of
vehicle
thefts,
some
involving
cars
left
unlocked
or
with
keys
still
in
the
ignition.
Police
spokesperson
Commissioner
Paul
Nyathi
said
in
a
statement
on
Monday
that
the
Zimbabwe
Republic
Police
(ZRP)
was
deeply
concerned
about
the
spike
in
motor
vehicle
thefts
countrywide,
particularly
from
residential
areas,
overnight
parking
spots,
and
when
motorists
offer
lifts
to
strangers.
On
11
June
2025,
police
recorded
a
spike
in
thefts,
including
five
separate
incidents
in
Harare
and
Mashonaland
West
involving
six
vehicles.
In
Avonlea,
Harare,
thieves
broke
into
a
company
premises
and
stole
two
vehicles
—
a
Toyota
Hilux
and
a
Mazda
BT50
—
along
with
generators,
cement,
refrigerators,
solar
batteries,
money-counting
machines
and
a
digital
camera.
The
Toyota
Hilux
was
later
found
abandoned
in
Majuru
Village,
Kutama.
On
the
same
day
in
Mutorashanga,
a
complainant
left
his
Honda
Fit
parked
behind
a
shop
with
the
keys
still
inside.
By
midnight,
the
car
was
gone.
In
Karoi,
a
29-year-old
man
lost
his
Toyota
Fun
Cargo
after
allowing
a
man
identified
only
as
Moses
Kachasu
to
sleep
inside
the
vehicle
overnight.
Though
the
owner
kept
the
keys
in
his
room,
the
suspect
somehow
started
the
car
and
drove
off,
“apparently
using
unknown
means
to
start
and
drive
the
vehicle
away,”
said
Nyathi.
Meanwhile
in
Ruwa’s
Fairview
Park,
a
45-year-old
man
parked
his
Nissan
Caravan
NV350,
locked
it,
and
went
to
bed
—
only
for
burglars
to
break
into
the
house,
steal
household
items
and
the
car
keys,
and
drive
away
with
the
vehicle.
Another
Honda
Fit
was
stolen
in
central
Harare
after
being
left
unlocked
at
the
corner
of
Leopold
Takawira
and
Samora
Machel
Avenue
while
the
owner
attended
to
other
business.
Commissioner
Nyathi
urged
motorists
to
remain
vigilant,
avoid
leaving
keys
in
unattended
vehicles,
and
ensure
vehicles
are
properly
secured
at
all
times
—
whether
at
home
or
in
public
parking
areas.
theft
surge
…
A
Toyota
Hilux
“It
is
the
responsibility
of
drivers
and
vehicle
owners
to
assist
in
the
maintenance
of
law
and
order,
especially
in
securing
vehicles
at
home,
parking
areas
in
Central
Business
District
and
other
places,”
said
Nyathi.