Crimes and Courts
HARARE – A foreign national who allegedly entered Zimbabwe illegally is behind bars following a series of high-profile car break-ins that targeted shoppers in some of the city’s affluent suburbs.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the arrest of 45-year-old Cassian Pascal Mangombe in connection with three separate thefts from vehicles parked at shopping centres in Mt Pleasant, Samora Machel Avenue, and Borrowdale between August 18 and 21, 2025. The stolen items included three laptops and several fuel coupons.
Police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, stated that detectives from the CID Theft From Car unit moved in on the suspect after acting on a critical tip-off.
“On 22nd August 2025, detectives from CID Theft From Car received information which linked the suspect to the cases,” said Comm Nyathi. “The detectives tracked the suspect leading to his arrest in Msasa, Harare. The arrest led to the recovery of fuel coupons stolen on 19th August 2025 from a parked Toyota Hilux vehicle at Village Walk Shopping Centre, Borrowdale.”
However, investigations revealed that the most valuable items, the three laptops, had already been moved out of the country. Commissioner Nyathi confirmed that international law enforcement has now been engaged.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police has engaged INTERPOL to facilitate the recovery of the stolen laptops,” he added.
Authorities indicate that further details will be made public as investigations continue, promising to unravel the suspect’s international theft network.
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