Source: Gimboki serial housebreaker finally arrested – herald
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post ReporterA SERIAL burglar who has been tormenting Gimboki residents, stealing property and cash worth US$25 250, has been arrested, bringing relief to the community that had endured seven months of break-ins.
Macdonald Saidi Bwanali, of Area C, Dangamvura, has since appeared at the Mutare Magistrates’ Court, facing 12 counts of unlawful entry into premises as defined in Section 131 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23). The offences allegedly occurred between January and July this year.
Bwanali appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mr Poterai Gwezhira last Thursday, where he was not asked to plead to the charges. He was not legally represented, and the State was represented by Ms Sandra Mlambo. He was remanded in custody to August 21 for initial remand.
Mrs Mlambo said detectives closed in on Bwanali after receiving a crucial tip-off from a well-placed informant. “He was arrested in Dangamvura on July 24, through the assistance of an informer, who was put to task by detectives to supply information on his whereabouts. On July 26, Bwanali was sent to court on a warrant of arrest, and was remanded in custody. He was then retrieved from remand prison and interviews were conducted, leading to the clearance of 12 more counts of unlawful entry into premises,” said Ms Mlambo.
The court heard that the offences followed a similar pattern, with Bwanali allegedly targeting homes left unattended, forcing entry using unknown objects, and stealing a mixture of electrical appliances, household goods, clothing, groceries and cash. “In the first case, which occurred on January 28, Bwanali allegedly broke into the home of Mr John Marutanana while the complainant was away at training.
He stole cash amounting to US$15 000 and Rands 14 000, an inverter, blankets, wheelbarrow, clothing, shoes, and cellphone among other items. Property worth US$4 500 was recovered after his arrest, including a Toyota Wish allegedly bought from the proceeds,” said Ms Mlambo. On April 4, he is alleged to have raided the home of Ms Yvonne Madzirashe, making off with a television set, battery, blankets, pots, clothing, and US$160. Goods worth US$585 were recovered.
Bwanali is also alleged to have broken into Mrs Febbie Muringwe’s home on March 28, while she was away in the rural areas, taking nine blankets, sheets, groceries, clothing, and cash. “He later led detectives to recover some of the stolen blankets and sheets,” said Ms Mlambo.
“On May 10, he allegedly targeted the home of Mr Phineas Nemaunga, stealing US$3 800 cash, a 42-inch television set, subwoofer, DVD player, bank cards, clothes, blankets, and groceries. Goods and cash worth US$850 were recovered.
“Less than a month later, on June 9, he allegedly broke into the house of Ms Tracy Marange, taking baby blankets, comforters, pots, cups, cellphones, groceries, and US$80. Some comforters, pots, and cups were later recovered. Another break-in was recorded on June 18 at the home of Mr Edmore Chikoshana, who lost blankets, brown suit, and clothing. Recovery efforts yielded blankets and bank cards,” she said.
The spree allegedly continued on June 26 at the home of Mrs Rita Machiri, who was away on business. Ms Mlambo said Bwanali stole lithium batteries, blanket, and cushion covers, and only the blanket was recovered. “On July 4, Bwanali allegedly struck at Mr Kudakwashe Makone’s home, taking a television set, flash drive, blankets, comforters, pots, and US$250 cash. Two blankets and a comforter were recovered. Two days later, on July 6, the home of Ms Sevia Nyapimbi in Nyanga was allegedly broken into. Bwanali took a gas tank, cellphones, blankets, radio, and other items. A gas tank and blankets were recovered,” said Ms Mlambo.
On July 9, while Ms Betty Mutasa was at work, and Bwanali allegedly forced entry into her house at night, stealing blankets and comforters. One blanket was later recovered. In another incident sometime in May, Mr Juma Yard returned from Harare to find his home broken into and property including dinner plates, coffee mugs, a gas stove, buckets, blankets, and clothes missing.
Goods worth US$250 were recovered. Count 12 relates to the June 18 break-in at the home of Ms Netsa Karimu, in which Bwanali allegedly stole comforters, blankets, clothes, and shoes.
Two comforters were recovered. In total, property and cash worth US$25 250 was allegedly stolen during the spree, with goods worth US$7 405 recovered after Bwanali’s arrest. He remains in custody awaiting trial.
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