Harare, (New Ziana) -The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested of a key suspect in the high-profile theft case involving US$46 000 stolen from a vehicle parked in the Central Business District of Kwekwe, the Midlands province, last week.
The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the investigation, which has gripped public attention since the daring daylight heist. In a statement on the official police X (formerly Twitter) platform, national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said 40-year-old Linas Tshuma was apprehended on Sunday by detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Homicide in Bulawayo.
He said acting on a credible tip-off, officers tracked the suspect to a residence in Cowdray Park, where he was arrested without incident. Tshuma’s arrest led to the recovery of critical evidence, including a Samsung M13 cellphone, believed to have been purchased using part of the stolen funds.
Police also recovered the getaway vehicle, a silver Toyota Mark X bearing registration plates AFO 6880 and AFA 1529, along with tools including a driller, rivet gun, and various clothing items.
Com Nyathi said the clothes are suspected to have been worn by one of the suspects and were captured on CCTV footage during the commission of the crime.
While Tshuma is now in custody, police are still hunting for seven other suspects believed to be involved in the brazen theft, who have been identified as Thethelani Ndlovu, Esau Mazarura, Bhekinkosi Tshuma, Mpiloenhle Ndlovu, Xolani Tshuma, Gugulethu Khumalo, and Reason Moyo, who is also known by the alias Tsorinso.
The theft occurred when unknown assailants targeted a parked Mazda CX-5 vehicle in Kwekwe, making off with US$46 000 in cash with the heist, which appeared to be meticulously planned, raising serious concerns over organized crime activity in urban centres.
Meanwhile, the police has urged anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects to come forward or provide tips through calling the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp at 0712 800197.
“The ZRP remains committed to bringing all those involved in this criminal enterprise to justice,” said Com Nyathi. Law enforcement agents are optimistic that continued public cooperation will assist in dismantling what appears to be a well-coordinated theft ring operating across multiple cities.
New Ziana
