Shadows and Schemes: The Rising Tide of Theft in Harare’s Underbelly
Harare, Zimbabwe – A disturbing pattern of theft and robbery, often involving commercial sex workers and their clients, has been emerging in the capital, casting a long shadow over the city’s nightlife and raising serious questions about safety and accountability. Recent incidents, from daring apartment break-ins to street-side ambushes, paint a grim picture of a precarious world where trust is a luxury and vulnerability can come at a high price.
The Audacity of Hazel Makavanga: A Client’s Trust Betrayed
The most recent case to capture public attention involves 21-year-old Hazel Makavanga, a commercial sex worker accused of a brazen act of theft against a regular client in Harare’s bustling Avenues area. The incident, which occurred on a Tuesday, saw Makavanga allegedly breaking into Tendai Chizura’s apartment at Warwick Flats and making off with valuables worth US$1,550, including two laptops.
According to reports, Makavanga, who was well-acquainted with the apartment complex due to her frequent visits to a client in Room 408, exploited this familiarity. She reportedly gained entry to Chizura’s apartment through an open bathroom window on the fourth floor. Once inside, she allegedly located keys on a dining room table, used them to unlock the main door, and then proceeded to steal an HP laptop, a Lenovo laptop, and a laptop bag from a spare bedroom.
Her escape, however, was thwarted by the vigilance of security guard Francis Andrea. Andrea, who had observed Makavanga entering the complex around 1 am without any parcels, grew suspicious when he saw her attempting to leave with a bag full of items. He confronted her, questioning the origin and ownership of the goods. When Makavanga failed to provide a satisfactory explanation, Andrea promptly contacted the police, leading to her arrest.
In a desperate attempt to evade capture, Makavanga reportedly tried to seduce Andrea, pleading for her release. However, the security guard remained steadfast, earning commendation from residents for his professionalism. One tenant remarked, “We want to commend the security guard for being professional. This lady was hired on several occasions for sexual encounters at the flat by one of the tenants, who stays in Room 408. Due to these regular visits, she became well versed with the set-up at the flat.”
The tenant further added, “She tried in vain to reason with Francis for her release but he resisted her seductive antics. She lied that she wanted to visit Room 408 to meet her client who usually hires her. She was allowed entrance and instead proceeded to the fourth floor, where she found the bathroom window of the complainant’s room open.”
Harare provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, confirmed the arrest, stating, “Police arrested a woman for unlawful entry and theft at an apartment in the Avenues area. On Tuesday, at around 0130 hours, the accused person approached a security guard at the flat. She gained entry through the open window, entered the bathroom, proceeded to the spare bedroom and stole two laptops – an HP and a Lenovo – together with a laptop bag. After stealing, the accused person exited through the main door which she accessed by unlocking it using keys she found on a table in the dining room. The keys were recovered upon searching her.”
The InDrive Driver’s Ordeal: A Night of Shelter Ends in Loss
This incident is not isolated. Just months prior, in February 2026, an InDrive driver in Harare experienced a harrowing encounter that left him without his car keys and money. The driver, whose name was not disclosed in reports, had offered shelter to a woman identified as Miriam Mahove, a commercial sex worker, in his vehicle during the early hours of the morning along Nelson Mandela Avenue. He had been parked, waiting for customers, when Mahove approached him seeking refuge.
The driver recounted that he fell asleep at some point. Upon waking, he discovered his car keys were missing. Mahove initially denied any involvement but then allegedly demanded US$100 for their return. Unable to move his vehicle, the driver was forced to call a locksmith, incurring a US$30 fee for a replacement set. The confrontation reportedly drew a crowd, escalating tensions between the two. While speculation arose that the woman had been hired for sexual services, the driver insisted he had not engaged her for such and had merely offered her a place to sit. Mahove, for her part, claimed they were acquaintances who had planned to travel to her home in Belvedere, denying both stealing and demanding money. The situation concluded with the driver suffering financial losses from the missing cash and the replacement key fee.
The Gail Court Ambush: When a Change of Mind Proves Costly
Another stark reminder of the dangers lurking in the city’s transactional encounters comes from October 2022, involving a Harare man named Stanford Madyara. Madyara was allegedly robbed by a group of four commercial sex workers and a male accomplice at Gail Court, a known hub for such activities in Harare.
The court heard that Madyara had initially engaged Aisha Marira for a US$10 fee. However, he reportedly changed his mind and instead approached another woman, identified only as Nikita, who was already present at the location. This change of heart led to a heated altercation. An accomplice, Natalia, accused Madyara of soiling her sheets and demanded payment. When Madyara refused, he was allegedly assaulted by Natalia and three other individuals who are still at large. The group reportedly beat Madyara with open hands, grabbed him by the neck, and forcibly took his Samsung M21 cellphone and US$600 cash from his pockets.
Madyara promptly reported the incident, leading to the arrest of Marira, Manford Ngoma, Belinda Zeze, Rutendo Chivhura, and Natasha Moyo. Zeze was found in possession of Madyara’s cellphone, and Madyara positively identified the other accused individuals. The five appeared before Harare Magistrate Dennis Mangosi and were remanded in custody for a bail hearing.
A Growing Concern: Vulnerabilities and the Law
These incidents highlight a troubling trend where individuals, both clients and sex workers, face significant risks. For clients, the allure of illicit encounters can quickly turn into a nightmare of theft, extortion, or even physical assault. The anonymity and often clandestine nature of these interactions create an environment ripe for exploitation, where victims may be hesitant to report crimes dueaving them vulnerable to further losses.
Conversely, sex workers themselves operate in a highly vulnerable environment, often facing stigma, violence, and legal challenges. While the focus here is on their alleged involvement in criminal activities, it is crucial to acknowledge the broader societal issues that contribute to their circumstances. The lack of legal protection and the criminalisation of sex work can push these activities further underground, making both parties more susceptible to crime.
Law enforcement agencies, such as the Zimbabwe Republic Police, are tasked with navigating this complex landscape. Inspector Luckmore Chakanza’s confirmation of Makavanga’s arrest underscores the police’s commitment to addressing these crimes. However, the transient nature of some of these interactions and the reluctance of victims to come forward can make investigations challenging.
The Path Forward: Awareness and Caution
The recurring nature of these incidents serves as a stark warning. For individuals seeking such services, exercising extreme caution and being aware of the potential risks is paramount. The cases of Hazel Makavanga, the InDrive driver, and Stanford Madyara collectively illustrate the diverse methods employed by perpetrators, from calculated break-ins to opportunistic street robberies.
As Harare continues to grow and evolve, so too do the challenges within its social fabric. The interplay of economic pressures, societal norms, and the clandestine nature of certain activities creates a fertile ground for criminal enterprises. Addressing this requires a multi-faceted approach, encompassing not only law enforcement efforts but also broader discussions about public safety, personal responsibility, and the underlying issues that fuel such illicit economies.
The stories from the Avenues and other parts of Harare serve as a potent reminder that in the shadows of the city, vigilance remains the most reliable defence against unforeseen dangers. The trust placed, or assumed, in these encounters can be easily shattered, leaving behind a trail of financial loss and personal distress.