A CHINHOYI man, who had the audacity to steal a service vehicle from a police camp, has been jailed 12 months.
Godfrey Musa Ndlovu (23) appeared at Chinhoyi Magistrates Court where he was convicted of stealing a car belonging to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).
He was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment of which 18 months were suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving him with an effective 12 months custodial term.
Court heard that on December 7, 2025, around 5am, at ZRP Chemagamba Police Camp staff residency, offender requested a lift into town from complainant, a cop, who was travelling to Mutoko using a silver Kia Rio, property of ZRP.
Court papers did not reveal how or why Ndlovu was at the police staff quarters.
It was heard that the police officer allowed offender to load his goods into the vehicle. Before departure, the officer briefly returned to his residence to collect a cellphone leaving a jacket containing car keys on the seat.
The prosecutor further said offender took the car keys, jumped onto the driver’s seat and sped off with the vehicle.
Acting on a tip-off, police later recovered apprehended Ndlovu near Thrills Service Station while he was aboard a pirate taxi. He subsequently led officers to the recovery of the stolen vehicle in Ruvimbo Phase 2, Chinhoyi. The vehicle valued at US$6,000 was recovered with registration number plates removed, the third plate altered, the police radio disconnected and communication aerial damaged.
The missing registration number plates valued at US$650 were not recovered.
