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Ashley Phiri, [email protected]

A 24-year-old man from Binga has been arrested for allegedly stealing vehicle parts from residents in the Western suburbs of Bulawayo. 

Langa Dube had reportedly planned to establish a spares company, but was arrested for stealing property worth US$10 000 over a year.

Police say he worked with an accomplice, Warren Luphahla, who is still at large. The stolen items included 15 vehicle tyres, 17 wheels, five batteries and two mirrors. 

Dube was apprehended through cooperation between the police and the public and has admitted to the thefts. Property worth only US$3 500 has been recovered so far.

Police say he was working with an accomplice — Warren Luphahla who is still at large. Property worth only US$3 500 has been recovered.

“I started this with the intention of opening my company to sell motor spares by the end of the year and I was working alongside my friend Warren Luphahla. We intended to open our shop in Esigodini and eventually expand our business countrywide,” Dube said during an identification parade.

According to Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube, the stolen items were positively identified by owners during an identification process.

Insp Ncube said 99 percent of the victims did not report their cases to the police after they were stolen. 

“Only 13 cases were reported to the police and when the suspect was apprehended, we discovered that there were 12 other cases that had not been reported. Police managed to locate the complainants.

“We are worried that instances victims do not report matters to the police fuel crime. We as police want to encourage members of the public to have confidence in the police because we have a zero tolerance to crime and we leave no stone unturned in pursuit of bringing all criminals to justice.”