IT looks like the road is clear for a smooth route to prison for four professional Zimbabwean thieves who will soon receive free accommodation in Zambia after they were arrested yesterday in connection to several car thefts around Lusaka.
The four individuals, who have been identified as Prince Dube, aged 32, George Chuma aged 49, Fortune Maswabi aged 43, all of Libala South and Mudududzi Moyo aged 40, of Chalala were arrested around 13:00 hours by officers from Woodlands police station on Thursday.
For some time, the four foreigners had been on the ZP wanted list, as a number of recent car break-ins at malls had been reported by different individuals matching their identities.
One of the reports was made by Kelvin Phiri, 37 an officer of the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) on July 24 this year who shared that some thieves had broken into his white Toyota Allion, registration number BCG 4532 and stole K305,000.
He said he had just withdrawn the money from Access Bank Long Acres for his employers, and saw the suspects were seen driving a white Toyota Mark X.
Another report came on June 1, this year from Christopher Chitambala aged 52, who said around 09:30 hours some thieves who were driving a white Toyota Mark X registration number BLA 3440 broke into his Toyota Hilux and stole K130,621 at Lewanika Mall traffic lights.
“A similar report also came from Joseph Ngosa aged 61, last month on 23, who reported that around 15:50 hours on that day, at Kings Highway SDA in New Kasama, his Mercedes Benz registration number BAH 2122 was broken into,” Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said.
He said the thieves, who were again driving a white Toyota Mark X went away with K50,000, which he had withdrawn from Cosmopolitan Mall.
Hamoonga said police took keen interest in the matter and managed to apprehend the four suspects who were caught while driving a grey Toyota Mark X with registration number BCE 5455.
Hanoonga confirmed the arrest said a search in the vehicle revealed that the suspects had a set of number plates bearing registration number CAE 3495, which matched the numbers on the motor vehicle’s road tax disc.
Also in the vehicle was a drilling machine, a riveting machine, three double-sided tapes, and rivets.
Hamoonga added that CCTV footage from the various crime scenes has been reviewed, and the suspects match the individuals depicted in these recordings.
He said Investigations are still ongoing as police are still reviewing more dockets containing similar facts that the suspects may be linked to.
“The Zambia Police Service remains committed to ensuring the safety of all residents and will continue to pursue criminals involved in such activities. We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or post,” said Hamoonga
By Buumba Mwitumwa
Kalemba September 13, 2024
