A recent press statement from the Zimbabwe Republic Police has shed light on a series of car theft incidents that rocked Harare between the 18th and 21st of August, 2025. According to the official report, a 45-year-old foreign national, Cassian Pascal Mangombe, has been apprehended in connection with three separate cases of theft from parked vehicles across the city.
The targeted locations, including the bustling Bond Shopping Centre in Mt Pleasant, the Greenfields Shopping Centre along Samora Machel Avenue, and the Village Walk Shopping Centre in Borrowdale, suggest a calculated pattern. The primary items stolen were laptops and fuel coupons, indicating a potential motive for resale or personal gain.
What’s particularly concerning is the alleged speed and audacity of the perpetrator. Just a day after the last reported theft, on the 22nd of August, diligent detectives from the CID Theft From Car division acted on crucial information, successfully tracking and arresting Mangombe in Msasa, Harare. Their swift action also led to the recovery of fuel coupons pilfered from a Toyota Hilux at Village Walk Shopping Centre on the 19th of August.
Further investigations revealed a potentially more complex operation. The police have stated that Mangombe allegedly entered Zimbabwe illegally and had already dispatched the stolen laptops to his country of origin via bus. This detail highlights the organized nature of the crimes and the challenges of recovering the remaining stolen property.
Recognizing the cross-border implications, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has wisely engaged INTERPOL to assist in the recovery of the missing laptops. This collaboration underscores the importance of international law enforcement in tackling crimes that transcend national borders.
This incident serves as a stark reminder for vehicle owners to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to secure their belongings, even in seemingly safe environments like shopping centers. The brazenness of these thefts and the swift action of the Zimbabwe police force will undoubtedly send a strong message against such criminal activities.
