A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with eight vehicle theft cases in and around Shurugwi, after police recovered all eight cars, valued at US$31,400.
Takudzwa Moyo, of Mavhura Homestead in Marira Village 1, Chachacha, was arrested in Makusha suburb on October 13 after police received a tip-off. Investigators linked him to thefts reported between September and October 9, 2026.
The recovered vehicles comprise six Honda Fit cars, a Toyota RunX and a Toyota Nadia. Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the arrest and the recovery operation.
“Zimbabwe Republic Police Midlands confirms the arrest of a 22-year-old man in connection with eight cases of theft of motor vehicles from in and around Shurugwi town during the period between September and October 9, 2026,” said Inspector Mahoko.
He said investigations following Moyo’s arrest led officers to all eight vehicles. Some had been left at different locations around Shurugwi after running out of fuel or developing mechanical faults. The Toyota RunX was found without its battery. Moyo is expected to appear in court in connection with the cases.
Inspector Mahoko also issued a warning to people involved in vehicle crime. “Criminals are being warned that the long arm of the law will catch up with them sooner or later,” he said.
The six Honda Fits in the Shurugwi recovery come amid other reported cases involving the same model elsewhere in Zimbabwe. In Gweru, police announced the recovery of six old-shape Honda Fits stolen from locations across the city between March 26 and April 16, 2026. The vehicles were valued at about US$20,000.
The cars were taken from Ascot Extension, Mtapa Section 2, Old Ascot and other locations, then found at different sites in and around Gweru. One blue Honda Fit, registration ADX 2159, was stolen from Ascot Extension on March 26 and recovered at Pfende Plots three days later. A silver car, AEB 6712, was taken from Mtapa Section 2 on March 28 and recovered in Gweru the following day.
Other recoveries followed within a day or several days of the reported thefts. A blue Honda Fit, AEJ 2797, was taken from Ascot Extension on April 1 and found in Ridgemont suburb the next day. Another blue Fit, AFP 1511, was stolen from Old Ascot on April 2 and recovered in the city that day. A silver Fit, AEI 2623, taken from Ascot Extension on April 4, was found in Riverside on April 7.
The final vehicle in the group, a white Honda Fit with registration AEQ 7201, was reported stolen from Old Ascot on April 16 and recovered at Cecil Hotel in Gweru that same day. Assistant Inspector Mollidias Zivuku, the Midlands provincial police spokesperson, described two of the recoveries in detail.
“We also have a blue Honda Fit Old Shape with registration number AEJ 2797, which was stolen from Ascot Extension on April 1st, 2026. This vehicle was recovered in Ridgemont suburb in Gweru on April 2nd of this year. Additionally, we have a blue Honda Fit Old Shape with registration number AFP 1511, stolen from Old Ascot on April 2nd and immediately recovered within Gweru city,” Asst Insp Zivuku said.
A separate case in Bulawayo involved 16 vehicles valued at US$161,500. Police said Keith Nyasha Sibanda, 27, of Mahatshula North, was being sought in connection with vehicles obtained from private owners and car-hire operators between June 2025 and July 2026. The reported method differed from the Shurugwi cases: owners said the cars were handed over for short-term hire, but were not returned after the rental periods were extended.
At the time of the police update, 13 of the 16 vehicles had been recovered and three were still being traced. The cars had been taken from individual owners as well as a Bulawayo car-hire business, which said five of its vehicles were involved. A company representative said: “This man hired five of our cars and sold them.”
Criminal Investigations Department national spokesperson Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri said the suspect allegedly extended hire periods and then disposed of vehicles by selling them or using them to secure loans. “After gaining the confidence of the owners, he would then extend the agreed hire periods before eventually disposing of the vehicles by selling them or using them as collateral to secure loans from different individuals. The complainants lost a total of 16 motor vehicles valued at US$161 500. To date, 13 motor vehicles have been recovered,” said Det Insp Muteweri.
Police were continuing to look for the remaining three cars and establish how the recovered vehicles had passed to other people. Investigators were also examining whether any vehicles had been sold, accepted as security for loans or transferred using altered ownership details. Det Insp Muteweri urged the public to check a vehicle’s ownership and documents before buying it or accepting it as collateral.
Bulawayo has also seen Honda Fit thefts in which a car was stripped after being taken. In one case, a 19-year-old man, Brendon Moyo, pleaded guilty to stealing a Honda Fit left at a workshop for engine repairs. The car was taken on May 15, 2026, and moved to a house in Pumula South, where it was stripped of parts including its axle, gearbox, rear lights, front bumper and bonnet. Detectives later arrested Moyo and recovered the vehicle shell at a house in Nkulumane.
A separate Bulawayo investigation concerns thefts from parked vehicles. Dennis Dzingai Bariri, also known as Gumbie, a 46-year-old man from Mzilikazi, was arrested on October 6, 2026, in connection with a theft-from-motor-vehicle case. Police investigations later linked him to two additional outstanding cases, according to Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele.
The first of the outstanding incidents took place on May 1 along Fife Street, between 10th and 11th Avenue. The suspect allegedly opened a parked vehicle and stole mobile phones and cash. The second incident was reported on July 25 at the Palace Hotel parking bay, where a parked vehicle was allegedly opened and an HP laptop, clothing and fuel coupons for 140 litres were taken.
Inspector Msebele said investigations had established Bariri’s alleged links to both cases. He is facing allegations of theft from motor vehicles, and the cases remain subject to due process.
The arrests and recoveries in Shurugwi leave all eight vehicles from the latest cases accounted for. Police have linked the thefts to a period spanning several weeks and say enquiries following Moyo’s arrest led them to each car. The recovered fleet consists of six Honda Fits, one Toyota RunX and one Toyota Nadia, with a combined stated value of US$31,400.