Zim GBC News | Crimes and Courts
In a significant breakthrough for law enforcement, a prolific burglar, Romeo Kurai Pemba (39), has confessed to a string of high-profile break-ins at key government buildings, including the Office of the President and Cabinet, where he stole computers and electronics valued at over US$23,000.
Pemba pleaded guilty to nine counts of unlawful entry in aggravating circumstances before Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzayi on Monday. The court heard that between June and September 2025, Pemba executed a calculated burglary spree targeting ministries housed in Mukwati and Kaguvi Buildings.
Detective Assistant Inspector Lloyd Tarenyika, the lead investigator, stated that the evidence against Pemba was overwhelming.
“The accused person was captured on CCTV committing the crimes, and the footage is held as an exhibit,” Tarenyika told the court.
“Fingerprints uplifted at the scenes matched those of the accused, and he even led us to the recovery of part of the stolen property.”
The State, which opposed bail, painted Pemba as a habitual offender and a flight risk. Prosecutors argued that the accused, who has a criminal record dating back to 2016, has no fixed abode and poses a threat to ongoing investigations.
“Given the seriousness of the charges and the overwhelming evidence against him, he is likely to abscond,” the prosecution contended.
“Some of the stolen property is still missing, and if released, he is likely to interfere with recovery efforts.”
Other departments targeted in the spree included the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT). Police confirmed that only US$1,400 worth of the US$23,020 in stolen goods has been recovered so far.
Pemba, who was remanded in custody, is scheduled to return to court on Tuesday for sentencing.
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