The Zimbabwe Republic Police is concerned with the recent cases of motor vehicle thefts across the country. The cases are occurring at residential areas, overnight car parks or when vehicle owners leave car keys on the ignition of unattended vehicles. Some cases involve motorists who lose vehicles after offering lifts to strangers.
On 12th June 2025, the Zimbabwe Republic Police recorded five cases of vehicle theft in Harare and Mashonaland West, involving six vehicles.
In the first case, which occurred in Avonlea, Harare, unknown suspects broke into company premises and stole two vehicles, a Toyota Hilux and a Mazda BT50, along with other items, including generators, cement, refrigerators, solar batteries, money-counting machines and a digital camera. The police have since recovered one money-counting machine and the Toyota Hilux, which was found abandoned in Majuru Village, Kutama.
In another incident on 11th June 2025, at around 2100 hours, a complainant parked his Honda Fit vehicle in the backyard of a shop at Urugwe Compound, Mutorashanga. He left the keys inside the car and retired to bed. At around midnight, he woke up and found the vehicle missing.
On the same date, a 29-year-old man lost his Toyota Fun Cargo vehicle after allowing a man, only known as Moses Kachasu, to sleep in the vehicle at his residence in Chiedza, Karoi. The complainant had taken the car keys to his room, but when he woke up, he found that Moses Kachasu had stolen the vehicle, apparently using unknown means to start and drive the vehicle away.
On 11th June 2025, at around 2200 hours, a 45-year-old complainant parked a Nissan Caravan NV350 in his yard in Fairview Park, Ruwa. He locked the doors and retired to bed, leaving the car keys on top of the wardrobe. An unknown suspect broke into the house, stole the keys, other household goods and drove away in the complainant’s vehicle.
In a separate incident, on 12th June 2025 at 2000 hours, another complainant left his unlocked Honda Fit vehicle at the corner of Leopold Takawira and Samora Machel Avenue, Harare while attending to other business. When he returned at around 2100 hours, he found that the car had been stolen.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police urge motorists to be cautious, vigilant, alert, secure their vehicles properly and avoid leaving car keys in unattended vehicles. It is the responsibility of drivers and vehicle owners to assist in the maintenance of law and order, especially in securing vehicles at home , parking areas in Central Business District and other places.
(NYATHI. P) Commissioner
Chief Staff Officer [Press and Public Relations]
to the Commissioner-General of Police
Police General Headquarters